JERUSALEM (EJP)—Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Australia, scheduled mid-July, has been canceled in light of recent developments with the kidnapping of Israeli teens Gilad Shaer, Eyal Yifrah and Naftali Fraenkel.
The visit would have marked the first time a sitting Israeli Prime Minister had ever visited Australia.
He was going to meet with Australian Jewish leaders in Melbourne and Sydney and pro-Israel Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop in Canberra.
‘’It is a massive disappointment that the first ever planned visit of Israel’s prime minister has been canceled, but is entirely understandable considering the kidnapping of the three boys,” said Dr. Danny Lamm, the president of the Zionist Federation of Australia.
“The ZFA, which had been coordinating the trip under the direction of Israel’s Embassy in Canberra, joins with ‘klal Israel’ [all of Israel]in prayer for a speedy return of Naftali, Gilad and Eyal,’’ he said.
Australia is a strong supporter of Israel.
The Israeli premier recently warmly welcomed a statement by the Australian government at it it would not describe East Jerusalem as “occupied”.
No new date has been fixed for Netanyahu’s visit.