Latest news with #AustralianJewish
Perth Now
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
Controversial Jewish MP's visa cancelled
The Australian Jewish Association has warned the country is on the Trump administration's radar over its treatment of Israeli internationals as the Albanese government sensationally cancelled the visa of a Jewish MP. 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. Israeli politician Simcha Rothman has had his Australian visa cancelled just one day before being expected to arrive in the country. BBC Credit: BBC News '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.' Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, has defended the decision to cancel the visa of Simcha Rothman. NewsWire / Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp 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.' The move follows the controversial approval of a visa for Hamas supporter Monda Zahed, which was swiftly cancelled after calls for Mr Burke's resignation.
Sky News AU
a day ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Tony Burke bans Israeli politician from Australia as senior MP Simcha Rothman slapped with three-year ban
An Israeli politician has had his visa cancelled by the Albanese Government, just a day before he was set to arrive for events with the Jewish community. Current Israeli politician, Simcha Rothman, who is part of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ruling Coalition, has been banned for three years from visiting Australia. Rothman, who holds the senior position of Chair of the Knesset's Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, applied for a visa which was approved about two weeks ago. He was set to speak at synagogues, in Jewish schools and hold meetings with the Jewish Community. The Australian Jewish Association's chief executive, Robert Gregory, said this now a pattern of behaviour where guests invited by Jewish organisations are having their visas cancelled at late notice. 'The purpose of his tour was to show solidarity with the Australian Jewish community that has been experiencing a wave of antisemitism,' he said. 'We'd organised visit to see the burnt synagogue of Addis in Melbourne. 'People in Israel are very worried about the situation for Jews in Australia, that's why he wanted to come.' Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke's office was contacted for comment.
Sydney Morning Herald
31-07-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
High school principal condemns ‘deplorable' antisemitic slurs by her students
A high school principal whose students were accused of hurling ugly antisemitic slurs during a Melbourne Museum excursion has described the conduct as 'deplorable'. A group of year 11 boys from Gladstone Park Secondary College are alleged to have called 10-year-old children from Mount Scopus Memorial College 'dirty Jews' as the two school groups mingled during the museum visit last week. The incident has prompted investigations by Museums Victoria and the Education Department, an intervention by the state government to condemn the conduct and widespread revulsion in the Australian Jewish community and beyond. In her response to parents and members of the public asking the school about the incident, Principal Veronica Hoy condemned the behaviour of the students responsible for the abuse. 'The behaviour of a group of some of our students at Melbourne Museum was completely deplorable,' Hoy wrote in her message. Loading 'We recognise that words and actions rooted in discrimination are not just hurtful, but deeply traumatic and unacceptable.' Hoy said the students' behaviour at the museum did not reflect their school's values. 'These are not the behaviours I, or the leadership team at Gladstone Park SC, expect of our students, and they do not represent our values as a school community,' the principal wrote.
The Age
31-07-2025
- The Age
High school principal condemns ‘deplorable' antisemitic slurs by her students
A high school principal whose students were accused of hurling ugly antisemitic slurs during a Melbourne Museum excursion has described the conduct as 'deplorable'. A group of year 11 boys from Gladstone Park Secondary College are alleged to have called 10-year-old children from Mount Scopus Memorial College 'dirty Jews' as the two school groups mingled during the museum visit last week. The incident has prompted investigations by Museums Victoria and the Education Department, an intervention by the state government to condemn the conduct and widespread revulsion in the Australian Jewish community and beyond. In her response to parents and members of the public asking the school about the incident, Principal Veronica Hoy condemned the behaviour of the students responsible for the abuse. 'The behaviour of a group of some of our students at Melbourne Museum was completely deplorable,' Hoy wrote in her message. Loading 'We recognise that words and actions rooted in discrimination are not just hurtful, but deeply traumatic and unacceptable.' Hoy said the students' behaviour at the museum did not reflect their school's values. 'These are not the behaviours I, or the leadership team at Gladstone Park SC, expect of our students, and they do not represent our values as a school community,' the principal wrote.
Sky News AU
27-07-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
‘Sickening and disgraceful': Albanese torched on his ‘cowardly' statement on Gaza
Sky News host Rowan Dean has discussed the 'absolutely disgraceful' and 'cowardous' statement from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the situation in Gaza. 'Various Australian Jewish groups have come out and expressed diplomatically their extreme disappointment with the Albanese government who cannot miss an opportunity to attack Israel or disappoint Israel,' Mr Dean said. 'All we get from Albanese and Wong is this aggressively, undergraduate, Sydney University style, left-wing politics. 'It's just sickening.'
