Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced on Monday that he had canceled the visas of Australian diplomats accredited to the Palestinian Authority. The measure comes in response to Canberra's decision to recognize a Palestinian state and cancel the visa of an Israeli lawmaker, reports “Reuters“, BTA reports.
Australia has denied entry to Simcha Rothman, a lawmaker from the “Religious Zionism“ party and part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ruling coalition. The reason for the decision was his statements against the creation of a Palestinian state and in support of the annexation of the occupied West Bank.
“The Australian ambassador to Israel has been notified that the visas of representatives to the Palestinian Authority have been revoked. In addition, I have ordered the Israeli embassy in Canberra to carefully review every official Australian visa application to Israel“, Saar said on the X platform, calling Australia's actions “unjustified“.
In response, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong described Israel's decision as an “unwarranted reaction“ that isolates the country and undermines international efforts for peace and a two-state solution.
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry also condemned Israel's actions, calling them illegal and in violation of international law. Australia is expected to officially recognize a Palestinian state next month. A move that Canberra says will boost peace efforts, support a ceasefire in Gaza and expedite the release of hostages held by Palestinian groups.
Rotman, who was due to visit Australia at the invitation of the Australian Jewish Association, told Reuters his visa was revoked because of positions "shared by the majority of Israelis and the government itself". He described the recognition of a Palestinian state as a “serious mistake and a huge reward for Hamas and terror“.
Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke stressed that the country has a hard line against those who try to sow division: “Anyone who comes to preach hatred is not welcome“.
In June, Australia, along with four other countries, imposed sanctions on Israeli ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir for repeated calls for violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.