Expressing readiness to recognize Palestinian state, Netanyahu attacks Albanian Prime Minister: Weak politician who betrayed Israel

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has downplayed harsh comments from his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, who called Albanese a "weak politician" following Australia's decision to conditionally recognize a Palestinian state.

At a news conference on Wednesday, the Australian prime minister said he always engages with other leaders diplomatically and that Netanyahu's statements were not personal. "He has done similar things for other leaders," he added.

Australia has decided to recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September, a decision that has strained relations between the two countries.

Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said that strength is not measured by the number of people killed or starved, but by the decisions that leaders make in a fair and courageous manner.

Netanyahu reacted on the X network by stating: “History will remember Albanese as a weak politician who betrayed Israel and Australian Jews.”

Albanese said he had informed Netanyahu in advance of Australia's decision and given him the opportunity to present a political solution. "I gave him the opportunity to explain his political solution and offered him an opportunity for dialogue," the Australian prime minister added.

Diplomatic tensions rose this week when Israel revoked the visas of Australian diplomats accredited to the Palestinian Authority, after the Albanian government had cancelled the visa of an Israeli lawmaker for statements deemed controversial and inflammatory.

The situation comes as Israel faces international pressure over its military offensive in the Gaza Strip, which has caused civilian casualties in the thousands and plunged much of the population into a humanitarian crisis. The conflict began almost two years ago after Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.

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