Relations between Australia and Israel have deteriorated sharply after Canberra’s decision last week to support recognition of a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly in September. The move prompted Israel to revoke the visas of Australian diplomats accredited to the Palestinian Authority, a step Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong condemned as “unjustified” and counter-productive to Middle-East diplomacy. The Israeli action followed Australia’s cancellation on Monday of the visa issued to far-right Israeli lawmaker Simcha Rothman, which Home Affairs officials said could inflame community tensions. Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar responded by instructing officials to scrutinise any future Australian government visa applications for entry to Israel. Personal rhetoric has intensified the rift. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu labelled his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese “a weak politician who betrayed Israel”. Albanese told reporters he would not be drawn into personal attacks and would continue to engage “diplomatically and with respect”. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke countered that strength is “not measured by how many people you can blow up or how many children you can leave hungry”. The dispute marks the most serious breakdown in bilateral ties in decades, challenging a relationship that has historically been close since Australia backed Israel’s founding in 1948. While both governments say they remain open to dialogue, analysts warn the escalating tit-for-tat measures could hinder cooperation on trade and regional security if neither side moves to de-escalate before the UN vote.