Australia accuses Netanyahu of equating strength with killing

Australia has pushed back against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after he called the country's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese “weak”.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke told the ABC on Wednesday that Netanyahu was confusing strength with violence. “Strength is not measured by how many people you can blow up or how many children you can leave hungry,” Burke said.

His remarks came a day after Netanyahu launched a fierce social media attack on Albanese, accusing him of betraying Israel and abandoning Australia’s Jewish community.

Burke described the criticism as part of Israel’s “lashing out” at governments that have chosen to recognise Palestine.

Burke praised Albanese’s approach, saying the prime minister was direct with Netanyahu about policy decisions before announcing them publicly. “He has the conversation, he says exactly what we’re intending to do, and has the chance for the objections to be made person to person. And then having heard them, makes public announcement and then does what needs to be done,” Burke said.