Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Anthony Albanese 'betrayed' Israel

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has launched an extraordinary personal attack on Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, saying he has "betrayed" Israel.

The post on social media is the latest escalation in tensions between Israel and Australia, and between the two leaders personally.

"History will remember Albanese for what he is: a weak politician who betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia's Jews," Mr Netanyahu said in a post on social media platform X.

Israeli Opposition Leader Yair Lapid took a swipe at Mr Netanyahu for the personal attack.

"The thing that strengthens a leader in the democratic world today most is a confrontation with Netanyahu, the most politically toxic leader in the Western world," he posted on X.

"It is unclear why Bibi is in such a hurry to give the Australian Prime Minister this gift."

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley weighed in, describing it as a "troubling diplomatic incident".

"Regardless of which party is in power, the prime minister of Australia deserves respect. But respect is a two-way street," she said in a statement.

"Anthony Albanese has mismanaged international relationships to the point where he now finds himself at the centre of a troubling diplomatic incident.

"This is a direct consequence of bad decisions he and his government have taken that do not advance Australia's interests.

"It is up to Anthony Albanese to explain how he is going to repair this relationship, which is now in tatters as a result of his failures of leadership."

The ABC has contacted Mr Albanese's office for comment.

Mr Albanese and Mr Netanyahu spoke almost a fortnight ago, ahead of the Australian government's announcement it would recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly in September.

Israel revokes visas

The comments come after Israel's foreign minister revoked visas for Australia's representatives to the Palestinian Authority, in what was seen as a retaliatory move for Australia's decision to recognise a Palestinian State.

Gideon Sa'ar also cited the Australian government's decision to cancel visas for Israeli figures wanting to travel to Australia, including far-right politician Simcha Rothman, as being "shameful" and fuelling antisemitism.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong had called Israel's decision to cancel the visas of Australia's representatives to the Palestinian Authority an "unjustified reaction" and said the Netanyahu government was "isolating" Israel.

The Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ), which describes itself as the peak body for the Australian Jewish community, has called for "calm heads".

"Allies with extensive economic, scientific and cultural ties should not be engaging in a diplomatic tit-for-tat that erodes the goodwill and cooperation built up over decades," ECAJ co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said.

"Calm heads need to take control of the situation, otherwise there will be a risk to some $2 billion in bilateral trade, extensive investment in Australian start-ups, vital security cooperation and the Israeli-made medicine and medical technology that we all rely on.

"There are real-life consequences here and we want to see the countries work through any issues before things get out of hand."