Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke cancels visa of Israeli politician in Netenyahu's Coalition one day before arriving in Australia
Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke on Tuesday denied Israeli politician Simcha Rothman from entering the country, imposing a three-year ban just one day before he was set to arrive in Australia.
Rothman – who forms a part of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political party – was set to appear at speaking events across synagogues and Jewish schools as well as host meetings with victims and visit targeted institutions.
But the MP was met with the sudden cancellation on the day he was set to board his flight.
The AJA's chief executive Robert Gregory said the move formed a pattern of international Jewish guests receiving poor treatment from the Albanese government.
'The purpose of Mr Rothman's visit was to show solidarity with Australia's Jewish community, which is facing a wave of anti-Semitism,' he said.
'This is a viciously anti-Semitic move from a government that is obsessed with targeting the Jewish community and Israel.'
Mr Gregory explained all of the MP's paperwork was filled out correctly and on time and the visa was approved with no obstacles.
'The timing of the cancellation at the last minute was spiteful and intended to cause maximum harm to the Australia Jewish community.
He took to X to reveal the association had since heard from an increasing number of Australian Jewish people who now feel unwelcome under Albanese and are planning to leave the country.
'It seems the government is happy to replace them by importing thousands of Gazans,' he said.
'Israel is fully justified in taking strong measures in response to this and we have briefed contacts in the Trump administration who are also concerned about events in Australia.'
However, Mr Burke doubled down on the decision to deny people who 'spread division' entry into the country.
'Our government takes a hard line on people who seek to come to our country and spread division,' he 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.'
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"AJA had arranged for him to meet with victims, visit targeted Jewish institutions, and address numerous Jewish schools and synagogues." Mr Gregory also criticised Mr Burke for denying entry to Ms Shaked and Mr Fuld. Briefing materials provided for Mr Burke on Ms Shaked's visa provided numerous examples of her rhetoric, including her calling Palestinian children "little snakes" and pushing to turn a Palestinian settlement in Gaza into a soccer field. Mr Fuld had compared Gazans to Nazis, said not all Palestinian children were innocent and dismissed violence from Israeli settlers against Palestinians. Australia has further sanctioned two far-right Israeli ministers, including travel bans. But Mr Burke has also denied entry to people who have a history of anti-Semitism, including rapper Kanye West after he released a song praising Hitler. Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 Israel's foreign affairs minister says the visas of Australia's representatives to the Palestinian Authority have been revoked over the nation's recognition of a Palestinian state and for refusing entry to Israeli figures. Gideon Sa'ar announced the visa cancellations in a social media post and said he had also instructed the Israeli Embassy in Canberra to carefully examine any official Australian visa application for entry into Israel. "This follows Australia's decisions to recognise a "Palestinian state" and against the backdrop of Australia's unjustified refusal to grant visas to a number of Israeli figures, including former Minister Ayelet Shaked and the Chairman of the Knesset's Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, MK Simcha Rothman," Mr Sa'ar posted on social media platform X on Monday. "While anti-Semitism is raging in Australia, including manifestations of violence against Jews and Jewish institutions, the Australian government is choosing to fuel it by false accusations, as if the visit of Israeli figures will disrupt public order and harm Australia's Muslim population. It is shameful and unacceptable!" Mr Sa'ar's post comes after it was revealed on Monday that Australia denied far-right Israeli politician Simcha Rothman from entering the country for a speaking tour after provocative comments including branding children in Gaza as enemies. Australia has also denied entry to former Israeli minister Ayelet Shaked, based on anti-Palestinian comments, and Israeli advocate Hillel Fuld. On August 11, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed Australia's intention to recognise Palestinian statehood at the United Nations General Assembly meeting in September. Mr Rothman has denied children have been dying of hunger in Gaza, despite overwhelming international evidence, and branded them "our enemies". He has also pushed for Israel to annex the West Bank and denied a Palestinian state should exist. He defended the mass displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, which is illegal under international law, and refused to allow those fleeing the war into Israel, saying "you don't let them conquer your country". On Monday, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said Australia "will be a country where everyone can be safe and feel safe". "Our government takes a hard line on people who seek to come to our country and spread division," he said in a statement. "If you are coming to Australia to spread a message of hate and division, we don't want you here." The right-wing Australian Jewish Association said Mr Rothman's visa cancellation on the day he was set to leave "was spiteful" after it had initially been granted. The purpose of Mr Rothman's visit was to show solidarity with Australia's Jewish community, which is facing a wave of anti-Semitism," CEO Robert Gregory said in a statement. "AJA had arranged for him to meet with victims, visit targeted Jewish institutions, and address numerous Jewish schools and synagogues." Mr Gregory also criticised Mr Burke for denying entry to Ms Shaked and Mr Fuld. Briefing materials provided for Mr Burke on Ms Shaked's visa provided numerous examples of her rhetoric, including her calling Palestinian children "little snakes" and pushing to turn a Palestinian settlement in Gaza into a soccer field. Mr Fuld had compared Gazans to Nazis, said not all Palestinian children were innocent and dismissed violence from Israeli settlers against Palestinians. Australia has further sanctioned two far-right Israeli ministers, including travel bans. But Mr Burke has also denied entry to people who have a history of anti-Semitism, including rapper Kanye West after he released a song praising Hitler. Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636
