Israel FM Sa’ar to revoke visas from Australian representatives to PA after ban on Rothman

Rothman: Australia’s “decision to deny me the opportunity to come and speak to my people … is clear and blatant antisemitism that gives a boost to terrorism.”

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced Monday that Israel will revoke the residence permits of Australia’s diplomatic representatives to the Palestinian Authority, following Australia’s decision to deny entry to Israeli lawmaker Simcha Rothman.

Rothman, a member of the Religious Zionist Party, had planned a solidarity visit to Australia in support of the local Jewish community amid a reported spike in antisemitic incidents.

Australian authorities, citing concerns over public order, blocked his entry.

In response, Sa’ar also directed Israel’s embassy in Canberra to reexamine all future visa requests by Australian officials seeking entry to Israel.

“At a time when antisemitism is spreading in Australia, including acts of violence against Jews and Jewish institutions, the Australian government chooses to fuel it instead with false accusations,” Sa’ar said in a statement, calling the move “shameful.”

Defending the ban on Rothman, Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the government would not allow entry to individuals it believes could escalate tensions.

“Our government takes a hard line on people who seek to come to our country and spread division,” Burke stated.

The visa cancellation prohibits Rothman from reapplying for entry to Australia for the next three years.

Rothman, who chairs the Knesset’s Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, is a central figure in the Israeli government’s judicial reform efforts.

He had been invited by the Australian Jewish Association (AJA) to meet with members of the Jewish community following a recent rise in antisemitic incidents.

In response to the ban, AJA President Robert Gregory called the move “viciously antisemitic,” accusing the Australian government of targeting Israel and the Jewish community.

He also urged Jews to reconsider visiting Australia and said many Australian Jews were now weighing emigration.

Rothman also condemned the decision, accusing the Australian government of yielding to external pressure.

“The government’s decision to deny me the opportunity to come and speak to my people … is clear and blatant antisemitism that gives a boost to terrorism,” he wrote in a statement.

According to The Guardian, one of the factors behind the ban was Rothman’s previous remarks abroad regarding Palestinians.

In those comments, he suggested that Britain should allow Palestinians to “run away” from Gaza rather than “aid and abet a terrorist organization.”