A leader of the nation’s peak Jewish representative group has branded Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “unseemly” and “unacceptable” for attacking Anthony Albanese on social media as he urged the two leaders to de-escalate tensions.
After Netanyahu labelled Albanese “weak” in a post on X on Tuesday night, Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said that “it’s unseemly to speak to another leader, foreign leader of another country, an allied nation, you know, in that way and in that forum”.
Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin.Credit: James Brickwood
“I think nothing is gained by these sorts of exchanges,” he told Sky News this morning.
“I’ve seen some remarks by [Home Affairs Minister] Tony Burke in response to the Prime Minister this morning which are totally out of line as well.
“I think both parties are acting contrary to the interests of the people they’re seeking to represent and serve, and they need to find a new course and a new way of dealing with each other and doing business because this is entirely counterproductive.”
Ryvchin, who has been a staunch defender of Israel during the war in Gaza, said he understood Netanyahu’s frustration with an increase in antisemitic incidents in Australia.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.Credit: AP
“But this is not the way to do it, and the response from the Australian government has been overblown as well,” he said.
“So we need everyone to really calm down and think about what’s at stake here. Beyond the leaders there are people, there are bilateral relations, there are deep economic, cultural and academic ties that benefit Australia and Israel, and they need to be preserved at all costs.”
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