Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar announced on Monday the immediate revocation of residence permits for Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority operating in Israel, while implementing comprehensive screening procedures for all Australian visa applications. The decisive action responds directly to Australia's discriminatory visa denial targeting MK Simcha Rothman and former Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, coupled with the Albanese government's move toward recognition of Palestinian statehood.
Three registered diplomatic personnel residing within Israeli territory face immediate expulsion, with their authorized status terminating without delay. "We're talking about days, not weeks," a senior Israeli official emphasized regarding the departure timeline, accounting only for essential logistical arrangements. The Australian ambassador received official notification of this decision, while Israel's Canberra embassy received instructions to scrutinize every official Australian entry request.
Australia's Home Affairs Department had cancelled MK Simcha Rothman's visa mere hours before his scheduled departure, undermining his planned solidarity mission with Australia's Jewish community confronting unprecedented antisemitic violence. Rothman intended visiting the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne following its destruction in a targeted antisemitic arson attack.
I decided to revoke the visas of Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority. The Australian Ambassador to Israel was just notified on the matter.
I also instructed the Israeli Embassy in Canberra to carefully examine any official Australian visa application for…
— Gideon Sa'ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) August 18, 2025
Australian Interior Minister Tony Burke defended the visa cancellation, arguing Rothman's presence would create "serious implications for peace and law enforcement in Australia" - effectively acknowledging that Islamist demonstrators demanding Israel's destruction would resort to violence upon encountering an Israeli official. Rothman condemned the decision as "clear and blatant antisemitism giving tailwind to terror."
This diplomatic crisis erupted weeks after revelations that Australia approved entry for Hamas supporter Mona Zahed, who celebrated the October 7 massacre while publishing inflammatory content glorifying the terrorist attack against Israeli civilians.
