Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu triggered diplomatic controversy on Sunday after sharply criticizing Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the aftermath of a deadly mass shooting at a Jewish holiday event in Sydney, even as world leaders expressed shock, grief, and solidarity with Australia’s Jewish community.
At least 11 people were killed, including an Israeli national, when gunfire erupted during a Jewish religious gathering marking the beginning of Hanukkah, according to Australian authorities. The attack has been widely condemned as an act of antisemitic violence and is being investigated as terrorism.
While governments across the globe issued messages of sympathy and unity, Netanyahu struck a markedly different tone, directly linking the tragedy to Australia’s support for Palestinian statehood.
“I warned Prime Minister Albanese that your call for a Palestinian state pours fuel on the antisemitic fire,” Netanyahu said in a statement, arguing that international recognition of Palestine emboldens extremist violence against Jewish communities worldwide.
Netanyahu Links Antisemitism to Palestinian Statehood
Netanyahu has repeatedly sought to connect criticism of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza—and international calls for a two-state solution—to rising antisemitism globally following Hamas’ October 2023 attack on Israel. His latest remarks escalate that argument by tying it directly to the Sydney killings.
Australia was among several countries that formally recognized a Palestinian state in September during the United Nations General Assembly. According to the Palestinian Foreign Ministry, 159 countries now recognize Palestine, reflecting broad international consensus that a two-state solution remains the only viable path to ending decades of conflict.
Netanyahu’s government has strongly rejected this position, insisting that recognition of Palestinian statehood “rewards Hamas” and undermines Israel’s security.
Other Israeli officials on Sunday urged Australia to do more to combat a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents, but Netanyahu went further by framing the attack as a political consequence of Canberra’s foreign policy stance.
Global Condemnation and Solidarity
Despite Netanyahu’s remarks, the international response to the shooting was overwhelmingly focused on condemning antisemitism and expressing support for Australia’s Jewish community.
In the United States, President Donald Trump described the shooting as “a purely antisemitic attack,” while Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared that “antisemitism has no place in this world.”
Britain’s King Charles III said he was “appalled and saddened” by the killings. His office confirmed that Israeli President Isaac Herzog had earlier warned him of an “epidemic of antisemitism” across Commonwealth nations including Britain, Canada, and Australia. London police announced heightened security at Jewish sites nationwide.
In Germany, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the attack “has left me speechless,” adding, “This is an attack on our shared values. We must stop this antisemitism—here in Germany and worldwide.”
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said he was horrified by the violence, noting the symbolism of the timing. “My heart is with the Jewish community worldwide on this first day of Hanukkah, a festival celebrating the miracle of peace and light vanquishing darkness,” he said.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned what he called a “ghastly terrorist attack,” adding that India “stands in solidarity with the people of Australia in this hour of grief.”
The World Jewish Congress echoed those sentiments. “No community should ever fear coming together to celebrate its faith, traditions, or identity,” said its president Ronald Lauder, adding defiantly, “Make no mistake, this will not break us.”
Tensions at Home in Australia
In Australia, the attack has intensified concerns within Jewish communities already alarmed by rising antisemitic incidents. Anglican pastor Matt Graham, who was conducting a service at a nearby church when panicked people sought refuge, told Australian media: “I’m surrounded by antisemitic graffiti constantly. I stand with the people of Israel.”
Australian authorities have increased security at synagogues, schools, and Jewish community centers nationwide as the investigation continues.
A Diplomatic Fault Line
Netanyahu’s comments risk deepening diplomatic tensions with Australia and other Western allies that support Palestinian statehood while condemning antisemitism. Critics argue that conflating support for Palestinian self-determination with violent antisemitism risks politicizing tragedy and diverting attention from the urgent need to protect minority communities.
As Australia mourns and the world unites in condemnation of hatred, the shooting has become both a symbol of rising global antisemitism—and a flashpoint in the broader geopolitical debate over Israel, Palestine, and the future of Middle East peace.
