Australian PM pushes back against Netanyahu's claim that recognition of Palestine caused Sydney shooting

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese rejected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's accusation, following the deadly Sydney shooting, that the country's recognition of Palestinians' right to statehood fuelled antisemitism in the country.

In an interview with ABC News, Albanese said he doesn't accept Netnayhu's attempt to link recognition of Palestine with the shooting attack at the Hanukkah celebration in Bondi Beach, in which 15 people were killed.

"Overwhelmingly, most of the world recognises a two-state solution as being the way forward in the Middle East," he said.

"This has been an extraordinarily traumatic 24 hours," he said. "My job is to provide support for the Jewish community, is to make it clear that Australians overwhelmingly stand with the Jewish community at this difficult time."

Attacks against Australia's Jewish community have more than tripled since Israel launched its devastating war against Gaza in October 2023.

On Sunday, Netanyahu said he had written to his Australian counterpart in August, warning that the government’s recognition of Palestine “pours fuel on the antisemitic fire … emboldens those who menace Australian Jews and encourages the Jew hatred now stalking your streets.”

In September, at the United Nations General Assembly, Australia officially recognized the State of Palestine. The vast majority of the world's countries — 159, to be exact, including France, the United Kingdom and Canada — have recognized Palestine.