CANBERRA, August 20, 2025 (WAFA) - Australia's Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke rejected the statements made by the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, against his Australian counterpart, Anthony Albanese.

Australia's Home Affairs Minister told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that, "Strength is not measured by how many people you can blow up or how many children you can leave hungry.”

“Strength is much better measured by exactly what Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has done, which is when there’s a decision that we know Israel won’t like. He goes straight to Benjamin Netanyahu. He has the conversation, he says exactly what we’re intending to do, and has the chance for the objections to be made person to person," he added.

He said that Netanyahu "lashed out" at several countries that stated they would recognize a Palestinian state.

Australia cancelled the visa of Simcha Rothman, a member of Israel's far-right Religious Zionism (Mafdal) party, just days ahead of his planned visit for a speaking event. In addition to the cancellation, he has been barred from entering the country for the next three years.

"Our government takes a hard line on people who seek to come to our country and spread division," Burke said.

Following the visa cancellation, Israel decided to revoke the visas of Australia’s representatives to the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah.

On August 11, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that his country intends to recognize the State of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly in the upcoming September.

T.R.