Australia has canceled the visa of Israeli lawmaker Simcha Rothman, preventing him from attending scheduled events in Sydney and Melbourne. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said Monday the decision was made to block Rothman from “spreading division” during his visit.
Rothman, a member of the far-right Religious Zionism party and architect of Israel’s controversial judicial overhaul, was set to meet with Jewish community members and victims of antisemitic attacks. He called the move “a surrender to terrorism and antisemitism,” accusing Canberra of bowing to Islamist threats.
Australian Jewish groups are divided over the ban. The Australian Jewish Association condemned the cancellation as antisemitic, while government officials stressed the policy aims to keep communities safe. The move follows Canberra’s increasingly critical stance toward Israel, including sanctions on Israeli ministers and plans to recognize a Palestinian state.
