London: Israel has revoked the visas for Australian diplomats at a key office in the Palestinian territories out of anger at the Albanese government’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar took the step on Monday in a move to punish Australia for its foreign policy decisions, placing a question mark over an important post for diplomats who represent Australia at the Palestinian Authority.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar.Credit: AP
The Israeli minister also sent a warning about any Australian representatives who sought to come to his country, saying he had instructed the Israeli Embassy in Canberra to “carefully examine” any official visa applications.
The decision follows a ruling by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke on Monday to reject a visa application from Simcha Rothman, a right-wing member of the Israeli parliament who planned a speaking tour of Australia.
Sa’ar named the visa refusal as well as the Australian recognition of a Palestinian state as reasons for his decision to revoke the visas of Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority.
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“While antisemitism 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 on social media site X.
“It is shameful and unacceptable!”
He made the statement on Monday in Israel – soon after 9pm on Monday, AEST.
