Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has branded Australia “shameful” in its advocacy for Palestinian statehood and accused foreign leaders of capitulating to public opinion over the Gaza war.
In a wide-ranging press conference staged “to puncture the lies and tell the truth” about Israeli military and humanitarian action, Netanyahu denied Israel had a “starvation policy” while hitting out at foreign powers for backing the “absurdity” of recognising Palestine in the pursuit of peace.
Benjamin Netanyahu took aim at Australia and European nations for their pursuit of a two-state solution.Credit: AP
“It defies imagination or understanding how intelligent people around the world, including seasoned diplomats, government leaders, and respected journalists, fall for this absurdity,” said Netanyahu, an increasingly isolated leader on the world stage.
He claimed that, contrary to growing opinion, Palestinian statehood would bring war rather than peace: “To have European countries and Australia to march into that rabbit hole, just like that … is disappointing, and I think it’s actually shameful.”
His defiance came after Australia participated in another joint statement alongside Britain, France, Canada, and other allies condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza, this time over the planned large-scale military operation to take control of Gaza City and conquer the entire strip.
They said any attempts at annexation or settlement in Gaza violated international law.
Last month, Australia took part in a 28-country joint statement urging Israel to dramatically increase the supply of aid in the strip, following repeated reports of Gazans being gunned down outside Gaza Humanitarian Fund depots and images of starving children being spread around the world.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a joint statement with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Saturday: “Any attempt by Israel to escalate hostilities, including by taking control of Gaza City, would be wrong, risk violating international law, and exacerbate the human catastrophe already unfolding inside the Gaza Strip.”
After previously denying people were starving in Gaza, Netanyahu on Sunday conceded there was “deprivation”, albeit caused by Hamas, the militant group that presides over the territory and launched the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack against Israelis that kicked off the war.
