Unprecedented tension is placing significant strain on historically close ties between Israel and Australia.
Canberra has been ramping up criticism of its ally over the devastating war in Gaza.
Australia was one of the first countries to recognise Israel in 1949 and has been one of its staunchest supporters.
Now the two are locked in a war of words and tit-for-tat visa restrictions in a dramatic escalation of their diplomatic row.
How did we get here?
Recognising Palestine
It started when Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on August 11 that Australia would recognise a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly next month. The situation in Gaza has gone “beyond the world's worst fears”, he added.
France, Canada and the UK have also announced plans to recognise Palestine in September, dealing a major blow to Israel's long-held opposition to Palestinian statehood.
Visa ban
A week later, the Australian government cancelled the visa of Simcha Rothman, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition who opposes Palestinian statehood and has called for Israel to annex the occupied West Bank.
Knesset member Mr Rothman had been scheduled to visit Australia at the invitation of a conservative Jewish organisation. His visa was revoked by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke just 24 hours before he was due to arrive.
“If you are coming to Australia to spread a message of hate and division, we don't want you here,” Mr Burke told local media on the visa ban, which denies the Israeli legislator entry for three years.
It came in response to “inflammatory remarks” made by Mr Rothman, including calling Palestinian children “enemies” and his assertion that Palestinian statehood would lead to the destruction of Israel.
On the same day as his trip was cancelled, Israel retaliated by revoking the visas of Australian diplomats to the Palestinian Authority.
“I have decided to revoke the residency visas of Australia's representatives to the Palestinian Authority,” Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said in a post on X. “I also instructed the Israeli embassy in Canberra to carefully examine any official Australian visa application for entry to Israel.” He also accused the Albanese government of “choosing to fuel” anti-Semitism.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the move was “unjustified” and said Israel was “undermining international efforts towards peace and a two-state solution”.
Personal attack
Mr Netanyahu then lashed out at Mr Albanese, accusing him of “betraying Israel”.
“History will remember Albanese for what he is: A weak politician who betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia’s Jews,” wrote Mr Netanyahu on X.
The Australian Prime Minister seemed unaffected by Mr Netanyahu's criticism.
“I don't take these things personally. I engage with people diplomatically. He has had similar things to say about other leaders,” he said during a media briefing.
Mr Burke was more stern in his response to Mr Netanyhau.
“Strength is not measured by how many people you can blow up or how many children you can leave hungry,” he said, in the harshest language used against Israel to date.
Simmering tensions
Despite the swift escalation, tension between Canberra and Israel has been simmering since last August, when Australia officially reinstated the term “occupied Palestinian Territories”, in line with UN Security Council resolutions.
Ms Wong said the decision reaffirmed their commitment to a two-state solution.
But as Israel's aggression in Gaza escalated in recent months, with images of starving children flooding social media and mounting deaths of people seeking aid, so did Australia's criticism.
“The situation in Gaza has gone beyond the world’s worst fears,” Mr Albanese said in July.
“Gaza is in the grip of a humanitarian catastrophe.
“Israel’s denial of aid and the killing of civilians, including children, seeking access to water and food cannot be defended or ignored.”
Back in 1949, Australia, under prime minister Ben Chifley, played a considerable role in the creation and recognition of Israel. It could be on the way to playing a similar role for Palestine.
Stree
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UAE rugby in numbers
5 - Year sponsorship deal between Hesco and Jebel Ali Dragons
700 - Dubai Hurricanes had more than 700 playing members last season between their mini and youth, men's and women's teams
Dh600,000 - Dubai Exiles' budget for pitch and court hire next season, for their rugby, netball and cricket teams
Dh1.8m - Dubai Hurricanes' overall budget for next season
Dh2.8m - Dubai Exiles’ overall budget for next season
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Saturday
Borussia Dortmund v Eintracht Frankfurt (5.30pm kick-off UAE)
Bayer Leverkusen v Schalke (5.30pm)
Wolfsburg v Cologne (5.30pm)
Mainz v Arminia Bielefeld (5.30pm)
Augsburg v Hoffenheim (5.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Bayern Munich (8.30pm)
Borussia Monchengladbach v Freiburg (10.30pm)
Sunday
VfB Stuttgart v Werder Bremen (5.30pm)
Union Berlin v Hertha Berlin (8pm)
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The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN MARITIME DISPUTE
2000: Israel withdraws from Lebanon after nearly 30 years without an officially demarcated border. The UN establishes the Blue Line to act as the frontier.
2007: Lebanon and Cyprus define their respective exclusive economic zones to facilitate oil and gas exploration. Israel uses this to define its EEZ with Cyprus
2011: Lebanon disputes Israeli-proposed line and submits documents to UN showing different EEZ. Cyprus offers to mediate without much progress.
2018: Lebanon signs first offshore oil and gas licencing deal with consortium of France’s Total, Italy’s Eni and Russia’s Novatek.
2018-2019: US seeks to mediate between Israel and Lebanon to prevent clashes over oil and gas resources.
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
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ARSENAL IN 1977
Feb 05 Arsenal 0-0 Sunderland
Feb 12 Manchester City 1-0 Arsenal
Feb 15 Middlesbrough 3-0 Arsenal
Feb 19 Arsenal 2-3 West Ham
Feb 26 Middlesbrough 4-1 Arsenal (FA Cup)
Mar 01 Everton 2-1 Arsenal
Mar 05 Arsenal 1-4 ipswich
March 08 Arsenal 1-2 West Brom
Mar 12 QPR 2-1 Arsenal
Mar 23 Stoke 1-1 Arsenal
Apr 02 Arsenal 3-0 Leicester
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Grand Slam Los Angeles results
Men:
56kg – Jorge Nakamura
62kg – Joao Gabriel de Sousa
69kg – Gianni Grippo
77kg – Caio Soares
85kg – Manuel Ribamar
94kg – Gustavo Batista
110kg – Erberth Santos
Women:
49kg – Mayssa Bastos
55kg – Nathalie Ribeiro
62kg – Gabrielle McComb
70kg – Thamara Silva
90kg – Gabrieli Pessanha
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Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
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Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
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Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
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The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
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Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
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The 12 Syrian entities delisted by UK
Ministry of Interior
Ministry of Defence
General Intelligence Directorate
Air Force Intelligence Agency
Political Security Directorate
Syrian National Security Bureau
Military Intelligence Directorate
Army Supply Bureau
General Organisation of Radio and TV
Al Watan newspaper
Cham Press TV
Sama TV
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
