An Australian pastor has blamed the country’s former prime minister for causing devastating floods because of his stance on Israel.

At least 20 people have died and many more been injured, while thousands have been left homeless as a result of the flash flooding that has hit the northeastern Australian state of Queensland.

Daniel Nalliah, who two years ago explained bushfires in Victoria in terms of the state’s abortion law, said he had been reminded “that every time America went against Israel, there was disaster in the land”.

Mr Nalliah, writing on his Catch the Fire Ministries blog, referred to comments made by Kevin Rudd while in Israel last month, when he called for a settlement freeze and urged Israel to allow in international nuclear inspectors.

The pastor, who signs himself “Your bro in Christ” said: “It is very interesting that Kevin Rudd is from [Queensland]. Is God trying to get our attention?

“Yes, I believe so.”

He went on to ask his followers to “take some time to stand in the Gap for our nation Australia and repent and pray.”

In July 2007 a group of high-profile Church of England bishops attributed extreme rainfall in Britain to man’s “arrogant” mistreatment of the world.

Similarly, Israel’s former Sephardic Chief Rabbi, Ovadiah Yosef described Hurricane Katrina as “God’s retribution” for George W Bush’s support of disengagement from Gaza.