Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said strength is not measured by how many people can be blown up or how many children are left hungry, and defended Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's diplomatic approach. Burke said Albanese consults Netanyahu directly before making decisions, allows objections person-to-person, then makes public announcements and acts. The remarks followed Netanyahu's social-media attack calling Albanese weak and accusing him of betraying Israel and Australian Jews. Australia announced recognition of a Palestinian state, worsening relations with Israel amid the Gaza war. Australia also cancelled a visa for lawmaker Simcha Rothman over concerns about a planned speaking tour.
In an interview with Australia's national broadcaster on Wednesday, Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke said that strength was not measured by how many people you can blow up or how many children you can leave hungry. Burke's comments come after Netanyahu on Tuesday launched a blistering attack on Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on social media, claiming he would be remembered by history as a weak politician who betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia's Jews.
Strength is much better measured by exactly what Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has done, which is when there's a decision that we know Israel won't like, he goes straight to Benjamin Netanyahu, Burke said. 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.
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