Israel responds to Australia and revokes the permit of Australian officials

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced on Monday the revocation of the residence permits of Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority, in retaliation for the Canberra government's decision to deny entry to lawmaker Simcha Rothman.

Rothman had planned to begin a solidarity tour with the Australian Jewish community, in a context of a sharp increase in attacks and antisemitic demonstrations in that country.

However, less than 24 hours before his departure, Australian authorities canceled his visa, claiming that his views reflect his party's policies, which include “the elimination of Hamas”.

Sa’ar described the measure as “unjustifiable” and ordered the Israeli embassy in Canberra to carefully review any official visa application submitted by Australian representatives.

“At a time when antisemitism is spreading in Australia, even with attacks against Jews and Jewish institutions, the Australian government chooses to fuel it with false accusations,” the minister stated.

The decision triggered a wave of reactions in the Israeli political class.

Integration Minister Ofir Sofer accused Australia of showing “tolerance toward terrorism instead of defending justice and truth,” recalling that antisemitic incidents in that country increased by several hundred percent last year.

Amichai Chikli, Minister of Diaspora Affairs and the Fight Against Antisemitism, was even harsher: “This reflects the choice to honor the rapists and murderers of Hamas. It's an attack on freedom of expression and a broken moral compass.”

Ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir also came out in defense of Rothman.

Ben-Gvir described the ban as “a historic stain and a disgrace for the Australian government,” while Smotrich asserted that “in the face of all the antisemites in the world, the people of Israel remain united.”

Even from the opposition, Benny Gantz expressed support for Rothman, despite deep ideological differences.

“Australia's decision is not only wrong, but also hypocritical. I wish they showed the same energy to combat antisemitism as they do to veto representatives of the only democracy in the Middle East,” declared the leader of the Blue and White party.

The episode threatens to further strain relations between Jerusalem and Canberra, at a time marked by pro-Palestinian protests in Australian cities and a climate of growing hostility toward the local Jewish community.