Australia's decision on August 11 to formally recognize a Palestinian state has triggered an unprecedented diplomatic crisis with Israel, shattering a historically strong alliance and prompting a war of words between the two nations' leaders. The move, driven by a dramatic shift in public opinion over the war in Gaza, has led to retaliatory measures and has heightened tensions within Australia's own multicultural society.
The policy shift followed growing domestic pressure and what the government perceived as an undeniable change in the national mood. According to a new analysis in The Jerusalem Post, titled "Australia-Israel row over Palestinian statehood shows how Gaza shifted mood," the decision came as it "became politically unpalatable to continue to defend Israel." This public sentiment was starkly illustrated just days before the announcement, when tens of thousands marched across Sydney's iconic Harbour Bridge calling for peace and increased aid deliveries to Gaza, signaling a turning point for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's government.
The diplomatic fallout has been swift and severe. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has launched a series of scathing personal attacks on Albanese, calling him "weak" and accusing him of "betraying" Israel. In response, Israel has revoked the visas of Australian diplomats serving in the West Bank, and an Israeli lawmaker has been barred from entering Australia. This level of animosity marks the lowest point in Australian-Israeli relations in decades and shows Canberra is no longer afraid of upsetting its once-staunch ally.
Domestically, the decision has highlighted a divided nation. A poll conducted by DemosAU in August indicated that 45% of Australians supported recognizing a Palestinian state, compared to 23% who opposed it. The escalating political rhetoric has alarmed the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, which has called for calm while issuing a rare rebuke of Netanyahu's language. The group's plea comes amid fears that the bitter dispute could fuel a recent spate of antisemitic attacks, with some Australian Jews reporting they feel increasingly unsafe. Analysts note that Australia's move was made easier after key allies, including the UK and Canada, took similar steps, allowing the pragmatic Albanese to act without being diplomatically isolated.
Photo: Generated by Gemini AI.