Jewish leaders seek review of Fuld visa cancellation

The Zionist Federation of Australia has urged the federal government to urgently review its decision to cancel the visa of Israeli-American tech advocate Hillel Fuld.

“The decision to cancel Hillel Fuld’s visa just days before he was due to speak is difficult to reconcile with the actual purpose of his visit, which is to speak about entrepreneurship and help raise money for emergency medical services in Israel that treat everyone, regardless of faith or background,” Zionist Federation of Australia President Jeremy Leibler said.

“Whatever one’s opinion is of his online commentary, there is no plausible basis to suggest he would be inciting division by supporting a humanitarian cause.”

The cancellation has prompted an unusual diplomatic intervention, with US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee personally appealing to Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke to overturn the decision.

In a message to Mr Burke, Mr Huckabee described Mr Fuld as a “highly respected member in his community and well known in Israel.”