Israeli politician’s visa cancelled day before arrival

Israeli politician Simcha Rothman has had his visa cancelled by the Albanese Government just one day before he was scheduled to arrive in Australia for meetings with the Jewish community.

Rothman, who chairs the Knesset’s Constitution, Law and Justice Committee and is a senior member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling coalition, has been banned from visiting Australia for three years.

In an exclusive interview with The AJN, Rothman revealed he received the cancellation email on the morning of his planned departure.

“I got an email early in the morning and I was supposed to fly tonight,” he said.

“I have to say, I was a little bit surprised, not because they banned my entry. I was afraid that a government that caves under terror will do so, even in my case, but I was a little bit surprised from the fact that the Australian government was not ashamed to put in writing that they are banning me because of quotes that represent the consensus in Israel.”

The government’s email to Rothman stated: “The visa holders social media and public statements … mirror the policies of the Religious Zionist Party, including the elimination of Hamas and the expansion and sovereignty of the Israel state and denial of any wrong by Israel against Palestinian and Gaza during the current conflict”.

The email said it was considered Rothman’s presence in Australia might be “a risk to the… good order of the Australian community, or a segment of the Australian community, namely the Islamic population.”

Rothman defended his positions, saying they reflected mainstream Israeli opinion.

“It’s not about an extremist view. It’s not about inflammatory quotes. It’s about me believing that Hamas is bad and Israel is good, and the world should stand with the side of good and against evil,” he said.

“It’s about me saying that Israel should eliminate Hamas. It’s about me saying that a Palestinian state would be a grave danger to Israel, and it would be a huge reward for terrorists. It’s for me saying that we should apply Israeli sovereignty. Now those are resolutions that the Knesset has passed.”

The Religious Zionist Party parliamentarian was scheduled to speak at synagogues and Jewish schools, and hold meetings with community members in Sydney and Melbourne.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke defended the decision, saying his government would block anyone spreading “a message of hate and division.”

“Our Government takes a hard line on people who seek to come to our country and spread division,” he said.

“If you are coming to Australia to spread a message of hate and division, we don’t want you here. Under our Government, Australia will be a country where everyone can be safe, and feel safe.”

The President of the Zionist Federation of Australia, Jeremy Leibler describes many of Mr Rothman’s views as highly offensive and do not reflect the values of the Australian Jewish community or the mainstream Israeli public.

But he said, “It is one thing to disagree strongly with an elected representative of a democracy and ally, it is quite another to deny them entry on that basis. Australia ought not set such a precedent”.

Dr Colin Rubenstein, Director of the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Committee said the last minute decision to deny Rothman a visa was deeply troubling.

“While some of his views undoubtedly may be controversial and contrary to those held by AIJAC, refusing him a visa sets a disturbing precedent for Australia’s treatment of a fellow democracy and long-standing friend. It is very disappointing that Australia and Israel have regressed from a close friendship to unproductive diplomatic jousting, which of course was started by unwarranted and hostile actions by the Australian Government.”

Rothman drew parallels with Israel’s experience with terrorism.

“Israel has learned the lesson that appeasing terror is never a good idea, it always leads to more terror. And we learned this lesson with a very heavy price. Australia apparently did not learn the lesson.”

When asked about the impact on Australia-Israel relations, Rothman said, “I’m waiting to hear from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but definitely, it will not help. It’s the first time for a member of the Knesset to get a visa cancellation”.

“They’re trying to block freedom of speech for Israelis and for Jews, and that something needs to be addressed. It needs to be addressed by Israel. It needs to be addressed by the Jewish community Australia.”

Despite being unable to visit, Rothman had a message for Australian Jews:.

“Israel is with you. We will always be with you. And, the purpose of my visit was to show solidarity with the Jewish community that are facing grave dangers and attacks”.

He told The AJN, “Of course, the State of Israel is committed to make sure Israel will always be available for Jews around the world, but also to help Jews that are in distress all around the world. And if I were an Australian Jew today, I would be worried.”

Australian Jewish Association CEO Robert Gregory condemned the visa cancellation as “a viciously antisemitic move from a government that is obsessed with targeting the Jewish community and Israel.”

Gregory said Rothman’s visit was intended “to show solidarity with Australia’s Jewish community, which is facing a wave of antisemitism” and that the Australian Jewish Association had arranged for him to meet with victims, visit targeted Jewish institutions, and address numerous Jewish schools and synagogues.

“I have just returned from Israel and can attest that there is growing alarm there about the situation for Jews in Australia under the Albanese Government. The visit was not in any way connected to current events in the Middle East,” Gregory said.

He described the timing of the cancellation as “spiteful and intended to cause maximum harm to the Australian Jewish community,” noting that all paperwork was completed correctly and on time, and the visa had been approved.

Gregory claimed this was part of a pattern, stating: “This government has a track record of canceling the visas of Jewish and Israeli visitors, including Ayelet Shaked and Hillel Fuld. The message from the Albanese Government to Jews is clear and we urge all Jews to seriously consider whether it is safe for them to visit Australia under this government.”

The Australian Jewish Association CEO said the organisation was “hearing from increasing numbers of Australian Jews who feel unwelcome under this government and are planning to leave.”

Gregory added that “Israel is fully justified in taking strong measures in response to this and we have briefed contacts in the Trump administration who are also concerned about events in Australia.”