Good afternoon. Australia’s government has rejected Benjamin Netanyahu’s incendiary criticism and accused some Israeli politicians of “bigoted” views about Palestinians, as the extraordinary political fight between the two nations turns uglier.
The federal government’s refusal of a travel visa for the far-right Knesset member Simcha Rothman stoked criticism from the Israeli prime minister, who labelled Anthony Albanese a “weak politician” who had “abandoned Australia’s Jews”.
“Strength is not measured by how many people you can blow up or how many children you can leave hungry,” the home affairs minister, Tony Burke, told Radio National on Wednesday. “Strength is much better measured by exactly what [Albanese] has done, which is when there’s a decision that we know Israel won’t like, he goes straight to Benjamin Netanyahu.”
On Wednesday afternoon, Albanese said he wouldn’t take Netanyahu’s comments personally. “I engage with people diplomatically. [Netanyahu] has had similar things to say about other leaders.”
Top news
Children with autism to be diverted off NDIS under $2bn federal program
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Why is the NZ government cutting Māori words from some school books?
In video
Recent media coverage claims that “Australians, especially men, are reading less” and “young men have stopped reading books”. But is that true? Guardian Australia’s data editor, Nick Evershed, does a deep dive into whether that claim is backed up by the numbers.
What they said …
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“Liam’s smashing it. I’m proud of him … I couldn’t do the stadium thing like he does it, it’s not in my nature. But I’ve got to say, I kind of look and I think, ‘Good for you mate.’ He’s been amazing.” – Noel Gallagher
Noel Gallagher has opened up about his feelings towards his long-estranged brother Liam during Oasis’ sold-out global reunion tour for the first time. Fifteen years after their acrimonious split, Gallagher said it was “great being back in the band with Liam, I forgot how funny he was”.
Full Story
Zelenskyy suits up for peace but can Trump deliver?
Six months after their explosive meeting in the White House, Volodymyr Zelenskyy once again met Donald Trump in Washington. But this time the Ukrainian president arrived with the support of key European leaders, who dropped everything in the hopes of securing a potential deal to end the war with Russia.
Washington bureau chief David Smith speaks to Nour Haydar about whether Europe’s united front managed to steer Trump away from the Kremlin, what chance is left of a ceasefire and how Trump welcomed Vladimir Putin back on to the world stage.
Before bed read
The promise of forced software patches is that they improve the software and apps we use every day – make them more convenient, maintain our security and so on. But what actually happens most of the time, writes Patrick Lum, is that updates change perfectly fine tech to the point where it sucks.
Reader callout
Australian Book Week is here – and we’d love to see your children’s costumes
The highlight of Book Week for many kids is the chance to dress up as their most beloved characters, bringing them to life from the pages of a favourite book and into a costume parade. The annual event, which promotes literacy, is celebrating 80 years as part of Australian school life – and we’d love to see the weirdest, wackiest and most wonderful costumes.
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: BOOT. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
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