Netanyahu to Australian Jews: We Have to Battle Anti-Semitism

JERUSALEM, Israel – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, were warmly welcomed at the Sydney Central Synagogue Wednesday evening as they wrapped up day three of their four-day tour.

Netanyahu is the first sitting prime minister to visit Australia.

"I want to bring all of you greetings from Jerusalem, our eternal capital, never to be divided again," he told the crowd of 2,000 attendees before extending thanks to Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and his wife, Lucy, for the "extraordinary welcome" he and members of the delegation received, saying, "There is no better friend for the State of Israel."

Click here to read the full address.

Netanyahu thanked Turnbull for speaking out against the demonization of Israel in the international community.

"I salute you, Malcolm Turnbull, and the governments of Australia who have stood up time and time again against this demonization, including recently," he said.

He also thanked former prime ministers Tony Abbot and John Howard, calling them "standard-bearers."

Netanyahu then spoke of the need for Jews everywhere to stand together against rising anti-Semitism worldwide.

"We have a battle against those who seek to demonize our people and the resurgent anti-Semitism that we see in many parts of the world," he said. "It is something that we need to fight together."

Earlier, Australian students welcomed Netanyahu, who encouraged them to learn more about Israel and plan to visit at their earliest opportunity.