‘Antisemitic cancellation’ – US protests Australia for banning popular Jewish activist Hillel Fuld

Australian Jewish community blasts Labor government over decision to revoke visa of Jewish activist Hillel Fuld, brother of slain terror victim Ari Fuld, who had planned to raise funds for Israeli ambulances.

By World Israel News Staff

The Australian government under Anthony Albanese is under fire after it barred entry to a Jewish activist slated to address Australian Jews and raise funds for Israeli emergency first responders.

Hillel Fuld, an American-Israeli Jewish activist and and brother of terror victim Ari Fuld, was slated to arrive in Australia this week for appearances at a pair of fundraising events in Melbourne and Sydney.

The events are hosted by Magen David Adom Australia, which supports the MDA emergency first responder group’s operations in Israel. The funds raised at the two events are earmarked for Israeli ambulance services and blood banks.

However, just before 6:00 p.m. last Friday, Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke issued an order cancelling Fuld’s tourist visa, effectively barring him from entering the country and forcing the cancellation of his appearances at the two fundraisers.

Burke justified his decision by accusing social media personality Fuld of engaging what he described as “Islamophobic rhetoric,” warning that Fuld’s visit constituted a potential threat to “the health, safety or good order” of Australians, the grounds under Section 128 of Australia’s Migration Act enabling the cancellation of entry visas.

“This consideration is based on the fact that the visa holder has posted on social media and has made statements denying documented atrocities and Islamophobia rhetoric, which has been received by members of the Australian community as inflammatory and concerning,” Burke claimed.

The alleged “documented atrocities” refer to allegations made against IDF forces inside the Gaza Strip during the war against Hamas.

“The visa holder has the potential to use speaking events and other platforms while in Australia to continue making inflammatory statements which have the potential to incite discord.”

“I consider there is a risk that those views will be adopted by members of the community and potentially increase the level of hatred against particular segments of the community, namely the Islamic population.”

The revocation of Fuld’s entry visa was met with condemnation by the Australian Jewish Association, which decried the move as “antisemitic.”

“The cancellation by the Albanese government of the visa of Hillel Fuld represents more than just another act of hostility toward the Jewish community, it is deeply antisemitic,” AJA CEO Robert Gregory said on Saturday.

“This follows the previous visa cancellation of former Israeli justice minister Ayelet Shaked, who was also due to speak to a Jewish organisation in Australia.”

“While the Albanese Government has given away over $100 million in taxpayer funds to Gaza, the Jewish community does not seek government financial support for Israel. Instead, Australian Jews raise funds privately for humanitarian causes like Magen David Adom, which saves lives. Any effort to disrupt or sabotage such fundraising is not only petty — there appears to be a complete reckless disregard about whether it could cost lives.”

The US called on Burke to reverse his decision to ban the dual US-Israeli citizen, with US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee writing to Burke in an email that Fuld does not pose a “threat of any kind.”

“Mr. Fuld is highly respected member in his community and well known in Israel,” Huckabee wrote. “While he holds strong views against terrorism and the kind of massacre that occurred on October 7, he would pose no threat to the people of Australia by his actions or words.”

“I fully respect the decision to grant the visa is solely in your hands and you have a sovereign right to make the decision to deny entry to someone you consider a threat to national security (but) I do not feel Mr. Fuld poses any threat of any kind.”

“I would respectfully request … you would be willing to review his visa application and grant the opportunity to make his brief visit for the sake of the very important charity event for the humanitarian emergency medical service organization.”

Ari FuldAustraliahillel fuldMike Huckabee