Israel is taking retaliatory diplomatic action against Australia following Canberra’s decision to support Palestinian statehood and cancel the visa of an Israeli lawmaker.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has announced it will revoke the visas of Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority.
The move comes after Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s administration signaled last week it could formally recognize a Palestinian state, a significant shift in foreign policy.
This diplomatic friction intensified when Australia revoked the visa of Religious Zionist Party lawmaker Simcha Rothman, who was scheduled for a “solidarity tour.”
Israel Implements Diplomatic Countermeasures
In response to Australia’s actions, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar confirmed that visas for Australian officials engaging with the Palestinian Authority would be rescinded.
Furthermore, Sa’ar stated that all future visa requests from Australian officials will undergo a more rigorous and detailed examination process.
The Israeli government perceives Canberra’s policy shift as a betrayal, particularly in the aftermath of the October 7th attacks by Hamas.
Netanyahu publicly criticized the Albanese government on Tuesday, asserting that its stance is contributing to a hostile environment for Jewish people.
Diplomatic Tensions Amid Rising Antisemitism
The Australian Jewish Association (AJA) echoed concerns over the government’s direction, with CEO Robert Gregory accusing the Albanese administration of undermining the Jewish community.
These diplomatic developments are unfolding against a backdrop of sharply increasing antisemitism in Australia.
An annual report from the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) documented a severe spike in antisemitic incidents.
The report, covering the period from October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024, recorded 2,062 incidents, marking a 316% increase from the 495 incidents in the previous year.
This surge included a 491% rise in physical assaults and a 230% increase in verbal abuse targeting the Jewish community.
