Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said he treats leaders of other countries with respect after his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu attacked him over his decision to recognise a Palestinian state, Reuters reports.

“I don’t take these things personally, I engage with people diplomatically. He has had similar things to say about other leaders,” Albanese said during a media briefing.

Albanese told reporters that he had informed Netanyahu about Australia’s decision to support a Palestinian state before his centre-left government formally announced the plan.

“At that time, I gave Prime Minister Netanyahu a clear indication of my view and Australia’s view going forward but also a clear indication of the direction in which we were headed,” Albanese said.

“I gave him the opportunity to outline what political solution there was and gave him that opportunity.”