The visit marks the first from an acting Israeli premier to Australia. Around 650 pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered in Sydney on Thursday to protest the visit, carrying a poster of Netanyahu with a Hitler-esque moustache and labeled 'Fascist'.
Others in the crowd carried placards branding Netanyahu a 'war criminal' and 'terrorist', according to the Jerusalem Post, and lambasted the Australian government's strong ties with Israel.
Protesting Netanyahu at Town Hall, Sydney. pic.twitter.com/ycEZh2CvMj
โ San (@sansdn) February 23, 2017Police stopped the protesters before they made their way to Netanyahu's hotel in central Sydney, reports AFP.
Netanyahu's four-day trip began on Wednesday when he arrived in Australia to a warm welcome from Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, who commended relations between the two countries.
"We have so much in common - shared values, democracy, freedom, the rule of law," said Turnbull said at a press conference. "Two great democracies, one very small in area, one vast, but each of us big-hearted, generous, committed to freedom."
Comment: Malcolm Turnbull is clearly either deluded or a bald faced liar. Suggesting that Israel is a "democracy" and respects the "rule of law" is a demonstrable lie and is disingenuous in the extreme.
"Prime minister, you are so welcome here in Australia," he said to Netanyahu.
PHOTOS: 22/02/2017 Australian Jewish community protest against Israel & Netanyahu's visit in Bondi Junction, Sydney. #auspolpic.twitter.com/CVSFt7E7mYUpon his arrival, Netanyahu commended Australia for being a close ally of Israel and recognized their countries' historical ties.
โ Mini (@miniestmini) February 22, 2017
"We're celebrating 100 years of friendship between Australia and Israel... this visit will enable us to bring our countries even closer," he said. "I always remember, it was Australian light horse that liberated Beersheba, an old, old city in our history. We have been friends โ extraordinary friends โ ever since."
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