Overview

• Benjamin Netanyahu used a Sky News Australia interview to label Anthony Albanese "weak" and said the prime minister’s record was "forever tarnished" by support for Palestinian statehood.
• Netanyahu said Israel would move to seize Gaza and dismantle Hamas even if the group accepted a ceasefire and released hostages, casting Gaza City as a final stronghold.
• Canberra’s recognition push follows shifting public opinion, with new polling showing increased support for recognising a Palestinian state before a negotiated peace deal.
• Diplomatic ties worsened after Australia denied a visa to far-right Israeli lawmaker Simcha Rothman and Israel revoked the visas of three Australian diplomats covering the Palestinian Authority.
• Australia joined 20 countries in urging Israel to scrap the E1 settlement plan, while Netanyahu rejected accusations of genocide or deliberate starvation and cited large aid deliveries into Gaza.