Benjamin Netanyahu heaps praise on Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull for decision to 'puncture UN hypocrisy' over settlements

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has attacked former Australian leaders Bob Hawke and Kevin Rudd over their call for recognition of a Palestinian state, warning this could lead to a hotbed of radicalism and to “Israel’s destruction”.

After arriving in Sydney for the first visit to Australia by a sitting Israeli leader, Mr Netanyahu heaped praise on Australian prime minister Malcom Turnbull, who was one of few world leaders to oppose a recent United Nations Security Council resolution which condemned Israeli settlements on the West Bank.

Mr Netanyahu said he welcomed Australia’s courage for its decision to “puncture UN hypocrisy”.

“The UN is capable of many absurdities and I think it is important that you have straightforward and clear-eyed countries like Australia that often bring it back to earth," he said.

Ahead of Mr Netanyahu’s visit, former Labor leaders Mr Hawke and Mr Rudd, both staunch supporters of Israel, called for Australia to recognise a Palestinian state – a move taken by Sweden and the Holy See.

Mr Rudd told ABC Radio: "I am a lifelong supporter of the state of Israel. That does not make me, however, a lifelong supporter of the policies of Benjamin Netanyahu.”

The comments followed a surprising claim by United States President Donald Trump, who said he was “very happy” with either a two-state or a one-state solution to the conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians. This broke with the US’s long-held support for a two-state solution.

Responding to the former Australian leaders, Mr Netanyahu said: “I have a simple question for both former prime ministers: what kind of state will it be?”

 “A state which calls for Israel’s destruction?” he said. “A state whose territories will be used for radical Islam? Israel already gave up Gaza to the Palestinian Authority and this became a terrorist state.”

Mr Netanyahu said he would only accept a Palestinian state in which “Israel has the overriding security control of all the territories, all the territories”.

Mr Turnbull said he supported a negotiated two-state settlement but rejected the recent UN resolution as  “one-sided”.