Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Wednesday that he treats leaders of other countries with respect after his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu attacked him over his decision to recognise a Palestinian state.
"I don't take these things personally, I engage with people diplomatically. He has had similar things to say about other leaders," Albanese said during a media briefing.
Netanyahu's personal attack on Albanese has further strained relations between the two countries. Ties soured after Australia decided last week to conditionally recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly in September.
"History will remember Albanese for what he is: A weak politician who betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia's Jews," Netanyahu said in a post on X on Tuesday.
Albanese told reporters that he had informed Netanyahu about Australia's decision to support a Palestinian state before his centre-left government formally announced the plan.
"At that time, I gave Prime Minister Netanyahu a clear indication of my view and Australia's view going forward but also a clear indication of the direction in which we were headed," Albanese said.
"I gave him the opportunity to outline what political solution there was and gave him that opportunity."
Israel this week revoked the visas of Australian diplomats to the Palestinian Authority after Albanese's Labor government cancelled the visa of an Israeli lawmaker over remarks the Australian government considered controversial and inflammatory.
Israel has been facing increasing international pressure over its military offensive in the Gaza Strip that has killed thousands of civilians and plunged Gaza into a humanitarian crisis, displacing most of its population.
The offensive began nearly two years ago after Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 more hostage.
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Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Wednesday that his country cannot “completely cut our cooperation with the agency”, referring to t...
The glitz and the glamour of extremely popular live TV broadcast of The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will take place in Vienna in Austria again, marki...
Millions in New South Wales were warned of potential flooding on Wednesday, as a powerful weather system dumped heavy rain along nearly 1,000 km of th...
Support for Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s government continued to rebound in August, extending a recovery from earlier this year, according to a poll published on Wednesday.
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Estee Lauder (EL.N) said on Wednesday that its annual profit forecast has come in below Wall Street expectations, as the cosmetics giant continues to face weakness in the United States and China alongside uncertainty over tariffs.
The glitz and the glamour of extremely popular live TV broadcast of The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will take place in Vienna in Austria again, marking the city’s third time hosting the event after 1967 and 2015.
A powerful eruption at Japan’s Shinmoedake volcano sent an ash plume more than 3,000 metres high on Sunday morning, prompting safety warnings from authorities.
According to the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), a magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck the Oaxaca region of Mexico on Saturday.
Honduras has brought back mask mandates as COVID-19 cases and a new variant surge nationwide.
The UK is gearing up for Exercise Pegasus 2025, its largest pandemic readiness test since COVID-19. Running from September to November, this full-scale simulation will challenge the country's response to a fast-moving respiratory outbreak.
Kuwait says oil prices will likely stay below $72 per barrel as OPEC monitors global supply trends and U.S. policy signals. The remarks come during market uncertainty fueled by new U.S. tariffs on India and possible sanctions on Russia.
Support for Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s government continued to rebound in August, extending a recovery from earlier this year, according to a poll published on Wednesday.
Millions in New South Wales were warned of potential flooding on Wednesday, as a powerful weather system dumped heavy rain along nearly 1,000 km of the state's coast.
Drones have become one of the most powerful tools in modern warfare, blending surveillance, precision, and long-range capabilities. In 2025, military unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) are no longer just support assets — they are at the centre of global defence strategies.
President Emeritus of the European Council Charles Michel has called for a more coherent, autonomous European Union policy on China and regional diplomacy, warning against over-reliance on the U.S. or Russia in shaping Europe’s global direction.
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