CANBERRA, Aug 19 (NNN-AAP) – Australia’s foreign affairs minister, said today that, Israel’s decision to revoke the visas of Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority (PA) was “unjustified.”
In a post on social media platform X, last night, Israel Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa’ar, said that, he has cancelled the visas of Australia’s representatives to the PA, and instructed the embassy in Canberra, to carefully examine any official Australian visa application for entry into Israel.
Responding this morning, Australian Foreign Affairs Minister, Penny Wong, said in a statement it was an “unjustified reaction,” following Australia’s decision to recognise a Palestinian statehood.
“At a time when dialogue and diplomacy are needed more than ever, the Netanyahu regime is isolating Israel, and undermining international efforts towards peace and a two-state solution,” Wong said.
Sa’ar said, the decision to revoke the visas was made after Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese announced earlier this month that, Australia will formally recognise Palestine at the 80th session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, next month.
He also cited the Australian government’s decision, yesterday, to deny entry to far-right Israeli politician, Simcha Rothman, days before he was due to arrive for a speaking tour.
Tony Burke, the minister for home affairs, said yesterday that, the Australian government takes a “hard line” on people seeking to enter the country to spread division.
“If you are coming to Australia to spread a message of hate and division, we don’t want you here,” he said.
Burke said that, the decision bans Rothman from visiting Australia for three years.– NNN-AAP
