Israel has retaliated after Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke cancels visa of Israeli politician in Netanyahu’s Coalition

Israel will revoke the visas of Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority after the Albanese government’s announcement it would recognise a Palestinian state. Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said in a post on social media that the decision also followed Canberra’s refusal to grant visas to prominent Israeli politicians, including Simcha Rothman. “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.” Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke on Tuesday denied Mr 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. The decision has angered Israel. “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 in the post on X. “It is shameful and unacceptable!” 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. 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.” 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.