JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese had forsaken Australia's Jewish community and betrayed Israel, a remark that may further strain diplomatic ties tested by the war in Gaza.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu penned a scathing letter to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Sunday in which the Israeli premier claims the latter’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state has added fuel to an already large fire of antisemitism spreading across the country.

The Israeli PM’s expansionist rhetoric has shaken the Arab world, with a former top UAE adviser calling him ‘no less dangerous than Hitler’.

Israel has announced plans to reoccupy Gaza City, with a view to eventually staging a full security takeover of Gaza, putting Hamas under pressure to reach a ceasefire deal.

“The thing that most strengthens a leader in today’s democratic world is a confrontation with Netanyahu, the most politically toxic leader in the Western world. It’s unclear why Bibi is rushing to give the Australian prime minister this gift,” Lapid posts on X.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has penned a blistering letter admonishing Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for failing to confront the “epidemic” of antisemitism that has “intensified” under his watch.

The diplomatic crisis escalated on Monday when Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced a travel ban for a lawmaker from the Religious Zionism party.

A weak politician who betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia’s Jews,” read a post on the official X account of Netanyahu’s office