Latest news with #AJA
Fox News
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Netanyahu slams Australia PM, says he 'betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia's Jews'
Australia and Israel are trading diplomatic blows with each side taking actions against the other's officials. On Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a scathing statement accusing Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of betraying Israel. "History will remember Albanese for what he is: A weak politician who betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia's Jews," Netanyahu said. Albanese announced last week that Australia will recognize the State of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly in September. The move follows similar commitments made by the U.K., France and Canada. Additionally, Australia also canceled the visa of Religious Zionist Party lawmaker Simcha Rothman, part of Netanyahu's coalition. Rothman was set to embark on a "solidarity tour" to meet with Australia's Jewish community as it grapples with surging antisemitism. "The timing of the cancellation at the last minute was spiteful and intended to cause maximum harm to the Australian Jewish community. Mr. Rothman received his cancellation on the day he was to head to the airport for his flight," Australian Jewish Association (AJA) CEO Robert Gregory said in a statement posted to the group's Facebook. "The message from the Albanese Government to Jews is clear and we urge all Jews to seriously consider whether it is safe for them to visit Australia under this government." Despite the ban, AJA arranged for Rothman to address the Jewish community virtually, saying "the show will go on" and "the Jew-haters will not win." "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," AJA announced on X. In response, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said he would revoke visas for Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority. He also directed Israel's embassy in Canberra to "carefully examine any official Australian visa application." "While antisemitism 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," Sa'ar wrote on X. "It is shameful and unacceptable!" AJA praised Sa'ar's decision, saying that "The disgusting antisemitism from the Albanese government deserves a strong response." Australia's Jews have seen antisemitism surge since Hamas' Oct. 7 massacre. According to an annual report released by Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ), from Oct. 1, 2023, to Sept. 30, 2024, the country saw 2,062 anti-Jewish incidents. This marked an increase of 316% since its report of the previous year — Oct. 1, 2022, to Sept. 30, 2023 — when there were 495 recorded incidents. ECAJ has yet to release a report for 2025. The report documents assaults, verbal abuse, vandalism and other incidents. When broken down into categories, anti-Jewish physical assaults rose by 491% since the previous report and verbal abuse increased by 230% over the same period. Fox News Digital reached out to AJA and Albanese's office but did not receive responses in time for publication.
Perth Now
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
‘Weak': Netanyahu's stunning attack on Albo
Israel's Prime Minister has levelled an astonishing personal attack on Anthony Albanese, calling his Australian counterpart a 'weak politician' who had 'betrayed' the Jewish state. Benjamin Netanyahu vented his anger at recent decisions by the Albanese government, including indicating it would recognise a Palestinian state and ripping up the visa of an MP in his government. 'History will remember Albanese for what he is: A weak politician who betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia's Jews,' Mr Netanyahu posted on his official X account on Tuesday night. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has slammed Anthony Albanese as a "weak leader". AFP/NewsWire Credit: NewsWire The backlash comes days after Home Affairs Minister Minister Tony Burke cancelled the visa to allow far-right Israeli MP Simcha Rothman, before Israel retaliated by revoking the visas of Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority. Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said in a post on social media on Monday that the decision also followed Canberra's decision to recognise a Palestinian state. 'I decided to revoke the visas of Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority. The Australian Ambassador to Israel was just notified on the matter,' Mr Sa'ar said. 'I also instructed the Israeli Embassy in Canberra to carefully examine any official Australian visa application for entry to 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 Rotman.' Israeli politician Simcha Rothman has had his visa to Australia overturned. BBC Credit: BBC News Foreign Minister Penny Wong early on Tuesday 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.' Mr Rothman – who forms a part 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. He will now address 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'.
News.com.au
12 hours ago
- Politics
- News.com.au
Banned Israeli MP Simcha Rothman to present virtual talk
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… 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.'
Perth Now
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
Israeli MP's brazen move after visa ban
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.' 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. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley is calling on the Albanese government to 'explain' after a visa stoush with Israel. Emma Brasier / NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia '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. Foreign Minister Penny Wong says Israel's decision is 'unjustified'. Martin Ollman / NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia 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!' 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.'
Epoch Times
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Epoch Times
Israel Retaliates With Visa Ban on Australian Officials After MP Blocked
The Israeli government has announced its own visa restrictions on Australian officials in response to the decision to revoke visas for several visiting Israelis over the past year. The latest incident was made public on Aug. 18, when the Australian Jewish Association (AJA) revealed the visa for Simcha Rothman—chair of the Knesset's Constitution, Law and Justice Committee— had been cancelled by the Labor government hours before his flight was due to leave, citing concerns of 'hate and harm.'
