Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lashed out at the leaders of Australia and France over their pledges to recognize a Palestinian state.
Netanyahu on Tuesday called Australia’s Anthony Albanese a “weak politician who betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia’s Jews,” and in a letter to Emmanuel Macron, blamed the French president’s calls for Palestinian statehood for fueling antisemitism in France.
Netanyahu is facing intensifying international isolation — Australia and France are among a number of major nations to pledge forthcoming recognition for a Palestinian state — and domestic discontent over his country’s war in Gaza. Mediation efforts have accelerated, but a 60-day ceasefire proposal could falter over Israel’s demand for Hamas to release all 50 hostages.