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.”

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar responded swiftly to the latest developments announcing his government would revoke the visas of Australian diplomats in Gaza.

“I decided to revoke the visas of Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority. The Australian Ambassador to Israel was just notified on the matter,” Sa’ar said on X on the evening of Aug. 18.

“I also instructed the Israeli Embassy in Canberra to carefully examine any official Australian visa application for entry to Israel,” he added.

“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 …”

Sa’ar accused the Australian Labor government of fueling hate against Jews.

“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,” he said.

“It is shameful and unacceptable.”

Rothman was due to visit local Jewish communities in Sydney and Melbourne in a show of support following recent anti-Semitic incidents, according to the AJA.

The MP’s visa cancellation follows other high profile visa denials for former Israeli Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked and blogger Hillel Fuld.

In June, the Australian government also joined in sanctions against two Israeli Ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich for “inciting violence against Palestinians.”

Australia’s Foreign Minister Wong Reacts

In a statement, Foreign Minister Minister Penny Wong called Israel’s actions “unjustified.”

“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,” she said.

“This is an unjustified reaction, following Australia’s decision to recognise Palestine.”

Wong said Australia welcomed everyone, but was safeguarding Australia from “hate and harm.”

She denied the government was fostering anti-Semitism.

Later in the day, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles echoed Wong’s comment.

“This is a disappointing and unjustified reaction to Australia and our decision around the recognition of a Palestinian state,” he told reporters.

“This is a moment where we need to be promoting dialogue between our countries, and this is a very disappointing and unjustified step, which has been taken by Israel.”

‘Protecting the Community’: Home Affairs

The Department of Home Affairs told The Epoch Times that it could not comment on individual cases, in response to Rothman’s visa cancellation.

“All non-citizens who wish to travel to, enter, or remain in Australia must satisfy the requirements of the Migration Act 1958 (the Act) and the Migration Regulations 1994, including identity, health, character, and security requirements,” a spokesperson said.

“The Australian government is committed to protecting the community from the risk of harm posed by non-citizens who engage in behaviour of concern.”

Shadow Minister James Paterson hinted at internal divisions within Labor.

“It is a very big call to block the visa of a visiting member of parliament from other country. My question is did [Home Affairs Minister] Tony Burke discuss the diplomatic implications of that visit with the foreign minister, Penny Wong?” he told the ABC.

“This is not a decision to be taken lightly and the all the implications should have been considered and its not clear that occurred.”

The Australian Labor Party draws a significant voter support base from the Middle-Eastern communities in western Sydney.

Australia’s Presence in Ramallah

While it is unclear how Israel’s reciprocal visa cancellations may impact Australia’s presence in the West Bank, it is expected to cause some disruption.

Since 2000, Australia has operated the Australian Representative Office (ARO) in Ramallah, in the Central West Bank.

According to the website for Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the ARO “enables Australia to engage on political, economic and social developments” in the region.

The ARO allows Australia to engage with the Palestinian Authority, and help implement humanitarian programs in the West Bank and Gaza.

The Epoch Times contacted DFAT for comment.