Tension grows between Israel and Australia over visa revocation
the article reports escalating tensions between Israel and Australia following Australia’s revocation of a visa for Simcha Rotman, a right-wing Israeli politician scheduled too visit Sydney and Melbourne. Australian home Affairs Minister Tony Burke justified the cancellation by accusing Rotman of intending to spread hate and division. In retaliation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned Australian Prime minister Anthony Albanese, accusing him of betraying Israel and Australian Jews.Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar further responded by revoking visas for australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority.
The diplomatic conflict is set against the backdrop of Australia’s recent declaration recognizing a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly, a move also made by countries like Canada, france, the United Kingdom, and Malta. the Netanyahu government faces growing international isolation due to its actions against Hamas and the humanitarian situation in Palestinian territories.Israeli officials argue that recognizing Palestinian statehood would effectively reward Hamas for the October 7 terrorist attack that triggered the current conflict. Meanwhile, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong criticized Israel’s reaction, urging dialog and diplomacy toward peace and a two-state solution.
Tension grows between Israel and Australia over visa revocation
Israeli leaders accused the Australian government of antisemitism over the revocation of a visa for a right-wing politician who was set to travel to Sydney and Melbourne later this week.
“History will remember [Australian Prime Minister Anthony] Albanese for what he is: A weak politician who betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia’s Jews,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday.
Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced the cancellation of Simcha Rotman’s visa on Monday, saying he intended to “spread a message of hate and division.” As an automatic condition of the revocation, Rotman cannot travel to Australia for three years.
Rotman was invited to travel to the country by the Australian Jewish Association to participate in a series of events at Jewish schools and synagogues and meet with victims of recent antisemitic attacks.
In response to the Australians’ revocation of Rotman’s visa, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced his decision to revoke the visas of Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority.
“Instead of battling against antisemitism in Australia as they should, they are doing the opposite,” Sa’ar told Australian journalist Erin Molan. “They are fueling antisemitism by this mad decision to ban the entrance to Australia of Israeli politicians and other figures with no justification.”
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong criticized the Netanyahu government’s response.
“At a time when dialogue and diplomacy are needed more than ever, the Netanyahu government is isolating Israel and undermining international efforts toward peace and a two-state solution,” she said in a statement.
The current dispute between the two countries comes after Australia announced earlier this month that it would recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly, along with a handful of other countries.
Canada, France, the United Kingdom, and Malta have all announced in recent weeks that they will also recognize a Palestinian state at the UNGA next month.
AT LEAST FIVE COUNTRIES TO RECOGNIZE A PALESTINIAN STATE NEXT MONTH — WHAT PUSH THEM TO IT?
The Netanyahu government has found itself increasingly isolated on the world stage over the humanitarian conditions imposed on Palestinian civilians amid its war against Hamas. Humanitarian organizations have said the Israelis need to do more to facilitate the distribution of aid to Palestinians who do not have continual access to necessary food, water, and aid.
The Israelis have argued that granting Palestinian statehood would amount to rewarding Hamas for the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack that ignited the current iteration of fighting between Israel and Hamas.
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