Australia’s Interior Minister Tony Burke announced on Monday morning that the entry visa of Religious Zionist MK Simcha Rothman, the chairman of the Knesset’s Constitution party, has been revoked.

The announcement was made only hours before Rothman’s flight to Down Under, where he was scheduled to make a series of speeches at shuls and schools and meet with victims of antisemitic attacks.

Burke explained the decision by saying, “Our government takes a hard line on people who seek to come to our country and spread division. If you are coming to Australia to spread a message of hate and division, we don’t want you here.”

However, Burke failed to quote any examples of Rothman’s quest to “spread division,” only citing statements that could be attributed to millions of Israelis, including his opposition to a Palestinian state and statements such as “the Hamas terror group must be destroyed.”

Robert Gregory, the head of the Australian Jewish Association (AJA), which invited Rothman, stated, “The purpose of Mr. Rothman’s visit was to show solidarity with Australia’s Jewish community, which is facing a wave of antisemitism. AJA had arranged for him to meet with victims, visit targeted Jewish institutions, and address numerous Jewish schools and synagogues. I have just returned from Israel and can attest that there is growing alarm there about the situation for Jews in Australia under the Albanese government. The visit was not in any way connected to current events in the Middle East.”

“This is a viciously antisemitic move from a government that is obsessed with targeting the Jewish community and Israel.”

“All the paperwork was filled out correctly and on time, and the visa was approved. 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.”

“This government has a track record of cancelling the visas of Jewish and Israeli visitors, including Ayelet Shaked and Hillel Fuld. 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.”

“AJA is hearing from increasing numbers of Australian Jews who feel unwelcome under this government and are planning to leave. It seems the government is happy to replace them by importing thousands of Gazans.”

“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.”

The AJA also published a statement accusing Albanese of supporting Hamas. “LABOR STANDS UP FOR HAMAS,” the statement began. “AJA can confirm that one of the written reasons the Australian Government gave for banning Knesset Member Simcha Rothman is because his statements calling for ‘the elimination of Hamas’…have been received by members of the Australian community as inflammatory and concerning.”

“Who exactly are these ‘members of the Australian community’ who support Hamas, a proscribed terrorist group, and why aren’t they in prison instead of deciding policies for Tony Burke?”

“‘Jews not welcome’—is this the message that the Albanese government is trying to send? Simcha is just the latest Jew to be banned by a government which is obsessed with making life difficult for Australia’s Jewish community.”

Rothman responded by stating, “I was invited by the community in Australia due to antisemitic attacks on shuls and a difficult feeling in the community of alienation and hostility. The decision of the Australian government to deny me the opportunity to come and speak to my people due to expressing simple and clear positions is clear and blatant antisemitism that provides a boost to terrorism.”

“Australian Jews are being attacked by jihadists and Australian mosques are inciting the murder of Jews and the destruction of Israel, but the expression of views that the Israeli Knesset adopted by a majority of two-thirds is considered by the Australian government as defiance and incitement.”

“This antisemitic decision is not directed against me—it is directed against the Jewish community in Australia, against the State of Israel, and against the Jewish people. The State of Israel learned the harsh price of surrendering to terrorism on October 7. The Australian government has not yet learned this lesson and will pay a heavy price for it. The State of Israel must teach the entire world how not to surrender to terror. I will not be deterred, and I will continue to make the proud voice of the Jewish people heard wherever I am.”

Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli responded by stating, “The Albanese government’s decision to bar MK Rothman (and previously former minister Shaked) from visiting Australia is a direct extension of his disgraceful choice to honor the rapists and murderers of Hamas.”

“It reflects a broken moral compass, discrimination, and a grave assault on free speech.”

“Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is wrong to think that the appeasement of Islamist terror will advance Australia. Australians will soon see that a government promoting silencing, discrimination, and antisemitism is leading their country down Britain’s disastrous path.”

Blue and White chairman Benny Gantz stated, “MK Rothman and I have stark political and ideological differences—yet Australia’s decision to bar him from entry is not only deeply misguided but also blatantly hypocritical.

“If only Australia fought the ravaging antisemitism targeting its Jewish communities with the same fervor it banned representatives from the one and only democracy in the Middle East.”

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)