Australian PM rejects link between Palestinian statehood and Sydney attack

Albanese rejected any link between the policy and the attack, saying most of the world supports a two-state solution.

By World Israel News Staff

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday rejected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s assertion that Canberra’s recognition of Palestinian statehood contributed to the deadly antisemitic terror attack in Sydney’s Bondi area, where 15 people were murdered and at least 40 others wounded.

In an interview with Australia’s ABC broadcaster, Albanese said he “does not accept” any link between the policy decision and the attack, arguing that “overwhelmingly, most of the world recognizes a two-state solution as the way forward in the Middle East.”

Netanyahu responded sharply following the massacre, accusing the Albanese government of fueling antisemitism. “Three months ago I wrote to the prime minister of Australia: ‘Your policies are pouring fuel on the hatred of Jews spreading in Australia. Antisemitism is a cancer. It spreads when leaders stay silent and fail to act,’” Netanyahu said. “You must replace weakness with action.”

Albanese, for his part, acknowledged the surge in antisemitism and extremism but framed it as a broader societal challenge. “The rise in antisemitism and far-right extremism are both sources of threat and deep concern,” he said. “My responsibility as prime minister is to bring Australians together and overcome the forces that seek to divide us.”

He emphasized solidarity with Australia’s Jewish community in the wake of the attack. “This is the time to embrace the Jewish community, not only those directly affected by the terror attack, but all of them,” Albanese said. “Australians overwhelmingly stand with the Jewish community at this extraordinarily difficult moment.”

At a Cabinet meeting earlier Monday, Albanese said his government would devote all necessary resources to responding to what he described as both terrorism and antisemitism.

He announced that national and state leaders agreed to examine stricter gun laws, including renegotiating the National Firearms Agreement. Proposed measures include limiting the number of firearms an individual may possess and tightening licensing requirements.

“We stand with Jewish Australians, and we stand against hatred and violence,” Albanese said. “Australia is stronger than those who seek to divide us, and we will get through this together.”

The dispute between Jerusalem and Canberra comes against a backdrop of deteriorating relations in recent months.

In August, Netanyahu publicly accused Albanese of betraying Israel over Australia’s intention to recognize a Palestinian state and other diplomatic moves, saying history would judge the Australian leader for “abandoning Australia’s Jews.”