Banned Israeli MP Simcha Rothman to present virtual talk

News.com.au

16 hours ago

Far-right Israeli MP Simcha Rothman will speak to Australian audiences through a major virtual event via Zoom after his visa was cancelled by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke.
The Australian Jewish Association (AJA) said it would hold 'one large communal event' that would allow Mr Rothman to 'address the Jewish community via Zoom'.
In a statement shared on X, the AJA said it had arranged for Mr Rothman to 'speak to many Australian synagogues, schools and other Jewish organisations', and the revoking of his visa was the 'latest of many anti-Semitic attacks on the Australian Jewish community'.
'The show will go on. The Jew -haters will not win,' it shared on X.
'The Jewish community won't bow down to Tony Burke or Penny Wong.
'Instead of many events, we will hold one large communal event where Simcha will address the Jewish community via Zoom.'
The show will go on
The Jew-haters will not win
AJA had arranged for Knesset Member Simcha Rothman to speak to many Australian synagogues, schools and other Jewish organisations. Simcha was set to meet victims of antisemitism and tour damaged synagogues.
In the latest of many… pic.twitter.com/uzCWLGHUwl
â€' Australian Jewish Association (@AustralianJA) August 18, 2025
Sussan Ley has also taken aim at Australia's 'deteriorating' relationship after Israel cancelled visas for Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority overnight in response to the action taken against Mr Rothman.
It is the heaviest blow to the bilateral relationship, which has been severely strained by the Albanese government's opposition to large-scale civilian suffering in Gaza.
'Israel is a Liberal democracy in the Middle East and we should be supporting them as that liberal democracy, and the steps that the Albanese government has taken over recent days and weeks certainly have not demonstrated that,' the Opposition Leader told reporters on Tuesday.
'This is an elected member of the Israeli parliament and it's a very unusual thing to refuse a visa and I haven't seen explanations from Tony Burke that actually explain what is going on here,' she said.
She added that 'disagreeing with the Albanese government is not a reason to refuse a visa'.
Home Affairs and Immigration Minister Tony Burke also sparked controversy last year by blocking a visa for ex-Israeli Minister Ayelet Shaked.
He did so for comments Ms Shaked made in 2014 calling children of terrorists 'little snakes'.
She said the families of terrorists 'are all enemy combatants, and their blood shall be on all their heads'.
NewsWire understands Mr Rotman's visa was cancelled for similar reasons.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Penny Wong has slammed Israel's decision.
'At a time when dialogue and diplomacy are needed more than ever, the Netanyahu government is isolating Israel and undermining international efforts towards peace and a two-state solution,' Senator Wong said in a statement.
'This is an unjustified reaction, following Australia's decision to recognise Palestine.
'We will continue to work with partners as we contribute international momentum to a two-state solution, a ceasefire in Gaza and release of the hostages.'
It is unclear how many Australian officials are affected as the diplomatic representation for the Palestinian Authority is relatively small.
But announcing the visa cancellations overnight, Senator Wong's counterpart, Gideon Sa'ar hinted action could be expanded to include any Australian officials seeking to enter Israel.
'I also instructed the Israeli Embassy in Canberra to carefully examine any official Australian visa application for entry to Israel,' Mr Sa'ar posted on social media.
He pointed to Anthony Albanese's pledge 'to recognise a 'Palestinian state' and against the backdrop of Australia's unjustified refusal to grant visas to a number of Israeli figures', including Ms Shaked and Mr Rotman.
'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,' Mr Sa'ar said.
'It is shameful and unacceptable!'
I decided to revoke the visas of Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority. The Australian Ambassador to Israel was just notified on the matter.
I also instructed the Israeli Embassy in Canberra to carefully examine any official Australian visa application for…
— Gideon Sa'ar | ×'×'עון סער (@gidonsaar) August 18, 2025
In her statement, Senator Wong disputed Mr Sa'ar's claim, saying that Australia 'welcomes different races, religions and views, united by respect for each other's humanity and for each other's right to live in peace'.
'We safeguard our communities and protect all Australians from hate and harm,' she said.
'The Australian government will always take decisive action against anti-Semitism.'