Australia cancels far-right Israeli politician's visa ahead of speaking tour

RNZ News

2 days ago

By
Jake Evans
, ABC
Simcha Rothman, a member of the Religious Zionist Party.
Photo:
LENIN NOLLY / NurPhoto via AFP
The Australian federal government has cancelled the visa of Israeli politician Simcha Rothman, a member of Israel's far right Mafdal-Religious Zionism party, just days before he was due to arrive in the country for a speaking event.
Rothman, whose party is part of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's governing coalition, has previously advocated for the expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza, and denied claims of starvation in the territory.
In May Rothman told the UK's Channel 4 that Britain should let Palestinians "run away" from Gaza, and if it did not, "you are aiding and abetting a terrorist organisation using them as human shields".
He added those refugees should not be accepted into Israel, however, because "they are our enemies".
"And according to international law, treaties about refugees in a time of war, you don't let them conquer your country with refugees," he said.
The Israeli politician was due to speak at events in Australia in a matter of days, including a Sydney event next Thursday hosted by the Australian Jewish Association.
But his visa has been cancelled, and Rothman has been banned from travel to Australia for three years - a condition that is sometimes applied to a cancellation depending on the grounds it was cancelled on.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said Australia
would not accept people travelling to cause division
.
"Our government takes a hard line on people who seek to come to our country and spread division," Burke said.
"If you are coming to Australia to spread a message of hate and division, we don't want you here.
"Under our government, Australia will be a country where everyone can be safe, and feel safe."
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said Australia would not welcome visitors seeking to create division.
Photo:
BAY ISMOYO / AFP
In a post on social media, Rothman responded to the visa cancellation.
"In the decision to deny the visa, the Australian Home Affairs Minister claims that my presence and my words will have a serious impact on peace and the rule of law in Australia, meaning that the Islamist mob calling for the destruction of Israel on the streets of Sydney and Melbourne will not be happy about my presence," he wrote.
"I was invited by the community in Australia due to anti-Semitic attacks on synagogues and a strong sense of alienation and hostility within the community.
"The Australian government's decision to deny me the opportunity to come and speak to my people, due to expressing simple and clear positions, is clear and blatant anti-Semitism that gives a boost to terrorism."
Rothman's visa cancellation is the first major action against a member of Israel's Knesset since the federal government's announcement last week that it would recognise a Palestinian state at next month's United Nations meeting.
Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, one of
two government members sanctioned by Australia
, accused the federal government on social media of aiding Hamas.
"The Australian government's active support for Hamas and terrorists, and the entry ban against MK Simcha Rothman, are a historical stain and a shame for the Australian government," Ben-Gvir said in a post in Hebrew, translated to English.
"The cheers of joy by Israeli left-wing activists, Hamas collaborators, and Israel slanderers around the world, are a disgrace that will never be erased from their minds."
In June, Australia joined several other nations - including New Zealand - to impose sanctions on Ben-Gvir and another minister, Bezalel Smotrich, accusing the men of inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.
Smotrich is the leader of the Mafdal-Religious Zionism party, of which Rothman is a member.
Liberal senator Dave Sharma, who was previously an ambassador to Israel, said he was not aware of Rothman during his time in Israel but that elected representatives should as a principle be granted entry to Australia.
"I would say that elected representatives from democratic nations, liberal democracies with friendly relations with Australia, the presumption should always be they are granted a visa, they are entitled to visit Australia, even if we don't always agree with their views," Senator Sharma told Sky News.
"I would like to know the basis on which Tony Burke has cancelled this visa because it seems as though it was issued. And what are the comments in particular that he finds so troubling that he think would incite social unrest here in Australia?"
- ABC