Ban on Israeli Knesset member entering Australia

Israel’s Channel 12 quoted Knesset member Simcha Rothman after his entry to Australia was blocked: “This decision is anti-Semitic and supports ‘terrorism.’” He added that the measure is against Israel and Australian Jews.

The Hebrew-language newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported that preventing Simcha Rothman, head of the Knesset’s Law and Judiciary Committee, from entering Australia was due to his incitement against violence and radicalism.

Earlier, Israel’s Channel 13 reported that Australia canceled Rothman’s visa one day before his arrival for a Jewish community conference.

Australia’s Prime Minister, on Friday, stated that his country’s people are disgusted by the humanitarian disaster in Gaza and rejected U.S. protests over Australia’s decision to recognize Palestine.

Anthony Albanese responded to claims by the U.S. ambassador to Israel, saying: “He is the ambassador of another country—not Australia—somewhere else—again, not Australia. My duty is to defend Australia’s interests, and Australians are disgusted by what they see on their TVs every night.”

Albanese emphasized: “When you see children dying of hunger, when you see children losing their lives, and families lining up for food and water, this evokes a human reaction—which is not surprising. This conflict in the Middle East has now been going on for 77 years.”

He added that everyone has long been aware of Australia’s bipartisan position on the State of Palestine: “Israel’s actions in Gaza result in the loss of innocent lives, poverty, and violence, which is completely unacceptable.”