Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu escalated tensions with Canberra on 19 August, declaring that “history will remember [Anthony] Albanese for what he is: a weak politician who betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia’s Jews.” The rare personal broadside, posted on the Israeli leader’s official social-media account, marks the sharpest deterioration in relations between the two countries in decades. Netanyahu’s comments come after Australia’s 11 August decision to recognise a Palestinian state and its refusal to issue a visa to far-right Israeli lawmaker Simcha Rothman. In a retaliatory move, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar revoked the entry permits of three Australian diplomats assigned to the Palestinian Authority and signalled tighter scrutiny of future Australian visa applications. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong condemned Israel’s actions as “an unjustified reaction” that further isolates the country and undermines efforts toward a negotiated two-state solution. Jewish community leaders warned that the escalating tit-for-tat measures threaten roughly $2 billion in annual trade, as well as long-standing security and research ties. Australia’s formal recognition of Palestinian statehood is expected to be lodged at the United Nations General Assembly in September.