Netanyahu blames Albanese’s ‘extreme anti-Israel position’ for synagogue firebombing
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has blamed the ‘extreme anti-Israeli position’ of the Albanese government for the shocking arson attack in Melbourne.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has blamed the “extreme anti-Israel position” of the Albanese government for an arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue.
In a scathing intervention in the wake of the firebombing of the Adass Israel synagogue, Mr Netanyahu tied the “abhorrent act of anti-Semitism” to the government’s treatment of Israel.
“Unfortunately, it is impossible to separate this reprehensible act from the extreme anti-Israel position of the Labor government in Australia,” he said.
Mr Netanyahu specifically called out the government’s “scandalous decision” to support a United Nations resolution that called on Israel to “bring an end to its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as rapidly as possible”, as well as its decision to refuse a visa to former Israeli justice minister Ayelet Shaked over her commentary on the war in Gaza.
“Anti-Israel sentiment is anti-Semitism,” the Prime Minister declared, as he said he expected Australian authorities “to use their full weight to prevent such antisemitic acts in the future”.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog also spoke with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to express his “firm condemnation of the horrific arson attack”.
He directly urged him to take “firm and strong action” on anti-Semitism in Australia.
“Following the atrocities carried out by Hamas against Israel on and since October 7, 2023, there has been an intolerable wave of attacks on Jewish communities in Australia and around the world,” the President said.
“I noted to the Prime Minister that this rise and the increasingly serious anti-Semitic attacks on the Jewish community required firm and strong action, and that this was a message that must be heard clearly from Australia’s leaders.”
“I thanked him for his ongoing efforts to combat anti-Semitism, and expressed my trust that the local law enforcement would do everything in their power to bring the perpetrators to justice.”
Mr Albanese earlier condemned the firebombing as “an attack on Australian values” and “an act of anti-Semitism”, as he defended his government’s position on Israel.
Prior to the shocking incident, Mr Netanyahu’s office strongly criticised the Albanese government over its lack of support for Israel, suggesting Australia may no longer be a “key ally” of the Jewish state.
The statement provided to The Australian marked the first time the Israeli government had commented on Australia’s actions since the October 7 attack sparked war across the Middle East.
Mr Netanyahu’s office warned Australia’s “disappointing” positions on UN resolutions would “invite more terrorism” and “more anti-Semitic riots” including in Australia.
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