AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): The Australian government has refused to issue an entry visa to former Israeli Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked to attend a security conference in Canberra and other events organized by the Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC).
Australian media report that Shaked was denied a visa under a section of the country’s Migration Act that allows for the minister to reject the visa if it is believed the applicant could “vilify a segment of the Australian community, or incite discord in the Australian community, or in a segment of that community”.
Shaked, who also held the post of interior minister, has previously given interviews calling for the complete removal of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, responded by posting a video message to social media attacking Australia’s government for being “anti-Israel” and alleging it had “become anti-Semitic”.
While Australia, a close ally of the US, has remained broadly supportive of Israel since the events of October 7, its position appears to have shifted in recent weeks.
A government review of 66 defense export permits to Israel is currently underway, the country recently voted in favor of a UN resolution recognizing the “permanent sovereignty” of Palestinians over their natural resources, and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has declined to object to recent ICC arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has responded after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense chief Yoav Gallant.
Wong took to X on Friday to say Australia "respects the independence of the ICC and its important role in upholding international law".
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