Netanyahu slams French, Australian leaders over antisemitism and Palestine stance

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the leaders of France and Australia of failing to act against rising antisemitism and condemned their readiness to recognize a Palestinian state as “rewards for Hamas,” Israeli media reported.

In open letters to French President Emmanuel Macron and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Netanyahu said their positions fueled attacks on Jewish communities. “Antisemitism is a cancer. It spreads when leaders are silent and retreats when they act,” he wrote, urging concrete steps ahead of the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah.

He accused Albanese of failing to curb assaults on Jews in Australia and Macron of “pouring fuel on the fire” with rhetoric that strengthened Hamas.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Huckabee backed Netanyahu, saying recognition of a Palestinian state emboldened Hamas and distracted from the plight of hostages. “Israel did not attack. Israel was attacked. We must demand the release of the hostages — that is the only moral priority,” the envoy said.