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.

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Organized by the Jewish group Australian Jewish Association, the visit responded to a surge in antisemitism since the war's onset. Over the past year, multiple synagogues in Australia have been set ablaze, with the latest arson in early July. Jewish and Israeli institutions have faced relentless attacks. Earlier this month, anti-Israel protests in Sydney and Melbourne featured banners of Iranian dictator Ayatollah Ali Khamenei alongside terrorist group flags.

Rothman, whose visa had approved two weeks earlier, planned to address synagogues and Jewish schools, meet victims of antisemitic attacks, and visit targeted Jewish sites. He learned of the visa cancellation on the day he was set to travel to the airport.

Minister Burke justified the visa revocation by citing Rothman's statements – including "Hamas must be destroyed," "A Palestinian state is the first step to Israel's destruction," and "Sovereignty must be applied in Judea and Samaria" – as incitement. An additional English statement on fighting terrorism to protect Israeli citizens was also cited. Burke claimed Rothman's presence would threaten "peace and law enforcement in Australia," referencing Islamist crowds in Australian streets calling for Israel's destruction.

A blatant antisemitic decision

Knesset Member Simcha Rothman condemned the move, saying, "The Australian Jewish community invited me amid synagogue attacks and growing hostility. By denying me entry for expressing clear positions, the Australian cabinet reveals blatant antisemitism that gives tailwind to terrorism."

He added, "Jihadists attack Australian Jews, and mosques incite murder and Israel's destruction. Yet, positions backed by two thirds of Israel's Knesset are labeled provocative by Australia's cabinet. This antisemitic decision targets the Australian Jewish community, Israel, and the Jewish people."

Speaking to Israel Hayom, Rothman emphasized that his cited statements – calling for Hamas' elimination, opposing a Palestinian state, and supporting sovereignty in Judea and Samaria – reflect Israel's mainstream consensus, shared by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, many in Coalition and even some Opposition members. "Australia claims this decision is designed to protect its Muslim community, but this harms Jews and exposes Australia's own deep issues," he said.

Robert Gregory, CEO of AJA, denounced the decision, saying, "All the paperwork was filled out correctly and on time and the visa was approved. The timing of the cancellation at the last minute was spiteful and intended to cause maximum harm to the Australian Jewish community. Mr. Rothman received his cancellation on the day he was to head to the airport for his flight."

Gregory noted, "This government has a track record of cancelling the visas of Jewish and Israeli visitors, including Ayelet Shaked and Hillel Fuld. The message from the Albanese Government to Jews is clear and we urge all Jews to seriously consider whether it is safe for them to visit Australia under this government." He added, "AJA is hearing from increasing numbers of Australian Jews who feel unwelcome under this government and are planning to leave. It seems the government is happy to replace them by importing thousands of Gazans."

Palestinian state recognition and a visa for a Hamas supporter

Tensions between Israel and Australia have escalated under Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's left-wing cabinet, which announced last week it would recognize a Palestinian state in September, aligning with European moves. Weeks earlier, the Australian Home Affairs Department granted a visa to Mona Zahed, a Hamas supporter who celebrated the October 7 massacre and posted disturbing messages afterward (the visa was later cancelled).

Rothman added, "Israel learned on October 7 the steep cost of yielding to terrorism – a lesson Australia's cabinet has yet to grasp, and the consequences will be heavy. Israel must show the world how to resist terrorism. I will not waver and will continue to champion the Jewish people's proud voice wherever I am."

Gregory revealed that AJA briefed contacts in the new Trump administration, saying, "Israel is fully justified in taking strong measures in response to this and we have briefed contacts in the Trump Administration who are also concerned about events in Australia."

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Members of the National Socialists Network held a flashmob protest last night, marching through the Melbourne CBD for over an hour whilst displaying a banner reading "WHITE MAN FIGHT BACK"

The march was led by NSN leader Thomas Sewell.
This is the first major protest the group… pic.twitter.com/I0Y06C0TRz

— What's News!? (@Whats_Newsss) August 8, 2025

 During the march, a 26-year-old man who approached the group and tried to stop them was violently attacked and taken to the hospital in non-life-threatening condition. No one was arrested during the march.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan harshly condemned the march and said, "Nazis don't belong in this country and they know it. That's why they hide behind masks in the dark." Allan announced that new anti-vilification laws will take effect next month, and subsequently, police will be granted powers "to unmask cowards at protests."

Nazis don't belong in this country and they know it.

That's why they hide behind masks in the dark.

I thank Police who maintained the public order.

It's clear they need more powers, and we're giving it to them.

Our criminal Anti-Vilification laws come into effect next month.…

— Jacinta Allan (@JacintaAllanMP) August 9, 2025

The march was led by the far-right organization "National Socialists Network," and it is considered the first major demonstration by the organization since Australia Day events, when more than a dozen participants were arrested, including the organization's leader himself, but all charges were later dropped.

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The Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver condemned hateful graffiti discovered at the Victoria Emanu-El synagogue, the oldest continuously operating synagogue in Canada, which describes itself as a warm, progressive Conservative-stream place of worship. The Jewish group described the incident as an assault on Jewish institutions that threatens the security and dignity of the entire community. Federation officials declared their unwavering solidarity with Victoria's Jewish population while denouncing the act as an attack on fundamental community values. It comes just days after Canada announced that it would recognize "Palestine" if the Palestinian Authority carried out several reforms, prompting outrage in Israel, which has said such recognition – which comes on the heels of France, the UK and other G-7 countries making similar moves – only rewards Hamas' atrocities in the Oct. 7 war.

Today, on Tisha B'Av, the holiest day of mourning in the Jewish calendar, Congregation Emanu-El in Victoria, BC, the oldest synagogue in continuous use in Canada, was vandalized with vile, antisemitic graffiti. A thread 1/8 ##bcpoli https://t.co/WEYA0qcVRc

— Nico Slobinsky (@nicoslobinsky) August 3, 2025

"Acts of antisemitism like this are not just attacks on Jewish institutions – they are attacks on the safety, dignity, and values of our entire community," the federation stated in social media posts. The organization emphasized that no individual should experience fear in their place of worship while acknowledging the ongoing nature of antisemitism challenges. "This is a painful reminder that the fight against antisemitism is far from over. We will continue to work with our partners across British Columbia to confront hate in all its forms and ensure that our communities remain safe, inclusive, and strong."

"Jews are evil! Because genocide is evil! Stop genocide stop the Jews! Jews are murdering thousands of gentile children in the future Palestinians will get their revenge against you child-killing Jew-monsters!," the graffiti on the synagogue read, referring to the ongoing war in Gaza.

British Columbia Public Safety Minister Nina Krieger responded by declaring that antisemitism has no place in the province and confirmed that hate vandalism, speech and intimidation constitute criminal acts rather than protected expressions. Krieger announced provincial expansion of the Hate Crimes Unit to recognize and investigate hate-motivated crimes while bringing charges against perpetrators.

"This is why we are expanding the Hate Crimes Unit for BC, to recognize and investigate hate-motivated crimes and bring charges against perpetrators," Krieger explained on X. The minister directed individuals to contact local police for non-emergency hate-motivated incidents and call 911 when necessary.

Meanwhile, Victoria Police in Australia launched a separate search for a male suspect believed connected to multiple incidents involving spray-painted offensive phrases at a Melbourne synagogue. The unknown perpetrator targeted the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation in South Yarra on five different occasions between March 11 and July 30, local media reported.

CCTV footage released by authorities shows the male arriving each time on a black e-scooter before retrieving a spray paint can and writing offensive phrases on building walls. Victoria Police described the suspect as frequently wearing a long black jacket and black and white face covering, according to the Australian outlet ABCNews.

"During the July incidents, the male wore a Scream mask, which completely covered his face," a police spokesperson stated, according to ABCNews. Detective Inspector Martin McLean indicated authorities believe the perpetrator operates alone based on investigation findings.

"There's certainly a pattern of behaviour. It's always with a spray-can, and always targeting the synagogue," McLean explained, according to ABCNews. "At this stage we have nothing to suggest he's working with anyone else."

Police characterized the suspect as Caucasian, bald with a medium build while expressing certainty that community members possess knowledge of the individual's identity or have observed the person before or after incidents. Detective McLean emphasized law enforcement's serious view of such abhorrent public behavior, according to ABCNews.

"Police certainly take a dim view of this sort of abhorrent behaviour in the public arena. If we can have any help in regards to this matter that would be greatly appreciated," McLean stated. Investigations continue as authorities urge anyone with information or witness accounts to contact Crime Stoppers.

"There is absolutely no place at all in our society for hate-based behaviour," a police spokesperson declared, according to ABCNews.

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A large fire broke out Thursday at the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne, Australia, with police investigating it as a potential antisemitic attack. Benjamin Klein, a member of the synagogue's board, told ABC that an "enormous amount" of sacred books, Torah scrolls, and furniture were destroyed.

The fire, which caused significant damage to two synagogue buildings, left Adass Israel congregants in shock, with some arriving for morning prayers to find their synagogue severely damaged by the blaze.

Firefighters arrived at the scene around 4 AM and battled the flames for nearly an hour before gaining control. According to witnesses, two individuals smashed the synagogue's window, poured gasoline, and threw Molotov cocktails that ignited the building. Worshippers present at the time were forced to flee through the back exit, with one person suffering burns to their hands.

More than 60 firefighters have fought a blaze ignited after a suspected arson attack at a Melbourne synagogue early on Friday morning. Latest: https://t.co/eWT9sXsSwJ pic.twitter.com/DpWVr7QWHN

— The Australian (@australian) December 5, 2024

 Israeli President Isaac Herzog wrote Friday morning on his X account: "I call on Australian leadership and leaders worldwide to strongly condemn this despicable act of terror and fight against the intolerable rise in anti-Jewish racism globally." The president also expressed his admiration for the community's strength, unity, and resilience in the face of the attack and wave of antisemitism.

Seventeen firefighting teams worked to extinguish the blaze. The synagogue, built by Holocaust survivors, serves as a vital center for the local Jewish community. "This is the crown jewel of the Jewish community," said Benjamin Klein, a synagogue board member. He added that the community is in shock. "We've been on high alert in recent months, with security patrols and cameras, but seeing something like this happen is shocking."

"This synagogue is the busiest in Australia, so it's a very, very active synagogue. We're open 20 to 22 hours a day," Klein said. "For this to happen to a synagogue thousands of miles from anywhere else in the world, in a peaceful neighborhood, peaceful community, it's quite terrible."

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the arson, calling it a deliberate and illegal attack that contradicts all the country's values. "I have zero tolerance for antisemitism. It has absolutely no place in Australia. The violence and intimidation and destruction at a place of worship is an outrage," Albanese said. "This attack has risked lives and is clearly aimed at creating fear in the community."

pic.twitter.com/AfmZMZgtMu

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) December 5, 2024

Jeremy Leibler, President of the Zionist Federation of Australia, condemned the attack: "No one should be surprised. This violent attack is a direct result of words turning into actions. Unchecked hatred of Jews endangers all Australians." Klein also noted this wasn't the first time the synagogue had been targeted. In 1995, it was damaged in a deliberate fire.

Yossi Friedman told foreign media that he was inside the synagogue with another person around 4:10 AM when they suddenly heard a loud bang and breaking glass. "I saw glass flying, so I just jumped from my chair, ran from the synagogue through the hall to the back path," Friedman recounted. He asked a staff member at a store to call the police and then returned to the synagogue, only to find the building engulfed in flames. "I thought maybe I could open the doors and get inside, but when I touched the door my hand got burned," he said, "so I decided it was too dangerous and left."

I am appalled by the abhorrent arson attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne.
Antisemitism must be relentlessly confronted. I urge Australian authorities to act swiftly and ensure the despicable perpetrators are brought to justice.
Israel stands in solidarity with the…

— Gideon Sa'ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) December 6, 2024

World Zionist Organization Chairman Yaakov Hagoel addressed the antisemitic attack against the Jewish synagogue in Melbourne, Australia: "Jewish blood is not worthless! The attack against the synagogue in Melbourne, Australia, is another reminder of the antisemitic wave that has been raising its head worldwide with greater intensity since October 7."

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Jewish groups in Australia are speaking out after the University of Melbourne student union approved an anti-Israel, pro-BDS measure on Monday, just weeks after the group removed a similar measure from consideration.
According to the Herald Sun, the anti-Israel resolution stated the students opposed the "use of Zionism to justify the illegal occupation of Palestine as racist and colonial" and called for the support for Palestinians to "engage in self-defense against their occupiers."

The measure passed by a vote of 13-3, with one abstention.

The Australasian Union of Jewish Students, which represents Jewish groups at universities in Australia and New Zealand, issued a statement saying they are "disappointed" by the passing of a BDS measure.

"Campus must be a place where respectful dialogue flourishes," the group tweeted. "It is impossible to fit all the complexities and narratives of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict into a student council motion. Instead of promoting dialogue and understanding, this motion misrepresents Zionism and oversimplifies the conflict, which will lead to the targeting and harassment of Jewish students who want to embrace their identity at the University of Melbourne."

The group continued, writing: "We should feel safe to be proud Jews and Zionists on campus, however, without nuanced conversations, respect, and a desire to understand and learn, Jewish students feel unwelcome and isolated. We call on the University of Melbourne Student Union and the students at the University of Melbourne to engage in dialogue and advocate for peace, not tokenize, isolate and target your Jewish peers."

Several Jewish and pro-Israel groups, including the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council, Executive Council of Australian Jewry, Zionist Federation of Australia, Jewish Community Council of Victoria, and Zionism Victoria, signed a joint letter blasting the passage of the BDS measure.

"It is disingenuous to suggest that this motion is simply about criticism of the Israeli government or support for the Palestinians," the agencies said in a release. "It effectively advocates the eradication of Israel as a state and thus denies the basic right of national self-determination of the Jewish people. The motion is imbued with racism, and its language drips with venomous hatred."

The release went on to say that "when student representatives falsely deny the Jewish connection to Israel, they deny to Jewish students the right to their own identity. When they promote hatred of Israel so unrelentingly, they are telling Jewish students and faculty that they don't belong on campus unless they willingly forego their own identity. Only one country is singled out. Only one ethnicity is vilified."

The agencies concluded: "This has real-world implications. Jewish students are facing increasing intimidation, including death threats, and a planned stabbing."

In late May, the University of Melbourne Student Union removed a BDS measure after a non-Jewish law-school student threatened to file a lawsuit, claiming the measure violated the country's Racial and Religious Tolerance Act.

Reprinted with permission from JNS.org.

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Israel's coronavirus infection rate stands at 1.63%, according to Health Ministry data. Of the 46,714 people who tested for the virus Saturday, 734 were found to have COVID-19.

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For the first time in months, Israel has fewer than 20,000 active cases of the virus. There are currently 19,587 active cases. There are 388 Israelis in serious condition, 157 of whom are on ventilators. Among those in serious condition, 72%, 280 people, are unvaccinated.

Although 1,288,075 Israelis have recovered from the virus since the outbreak of the pandemic, 7,983 have died.

On the inoculation front, 3,831,747 Israelis have received all three available doses of the coronavirus vaccine. Over 6 million Israelis – 6,201,766 – have received at least one dose of, while 65,698,137 have received two doses of the vaccine.

Meanwhile, officials in Melbourne, which has spent more time under COVID-19 lockdowns than any other city in the world, said Sunday the municipality was set to lift its stay-at-home orders this week.

By Friday, when some curbs will be lifted, the Australian city of 5 million people will have been under six lockdowns totaling 262 days, or nearly nine months, since March 2020.

Australian and other media say this is the longest in the world, exceeding a 234-day lockdown in Buenos Aires.

Australia, once a champion of a COVID-zero strategy of managing the pandemic, has been moving toward living with the virus through extensive vaccinations, as the Delta variant has proven too transmissible to suppress.

The new strategy makes lockdowns highly unlikely once 80% of the population is fully vaccinated. As of the weekend, around 68% of eligible Australians have been fully inoculated.

Australia's health officials said on Sunday that quarantine-free travel from New Zealand's South Island, where there is no outbreak, will resume on Wednesday.

New Zealand vaccinated at least 2.5% of its people on Saturday as the government tries to accelerate inoculations and live with COVID-19, preliminary health ministry data showed.

Through an array of strategies, gimmicks, and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's encouragement throughout the day, 124,669 shots were administered by late in the day in a country of 4.9 million.

New Zealand had stayed largely virus-free for most of the pandemic until an outbreak of the Delta variant in mid-August. The government now aims to have the country live with COVID-19 through higher inoculations.

It has been in lockdown since mid-August to stamp out the Delta outbreak. Officials plan to end the strict restrictions when full vaccination rates reach 90%.

As of Friday, 62% of New Zealand's eligible population had been fully vaccinated and 83% had received one shot.

In the US, meanwhile, police departments requiring officers to get vaccinated against COVID-19 are running up against pockets of resistance that some fear could leave law enforcement shorthanded and undermine public safety.

Police unions and officers are pushing back by filing lawsuits to block the mandates. In Chicago, the head of the police union called on members to defy the city's Friday deadline for reporting their COVID-19 vaccination status.

Seattle's police department sent detectives and non-patrol officers to emergency calls this week because of a shortage of patrol officers that union leaders fear will become worse because of vaccine mandates.

The standoffs are playing out at a time when many police departments already are dealing with surging homicide rates and staff shortages unrelated to the vaccine. Cities and police leaders are now weighing the risk of losing more officers to resignations, firings, or suspensions over their refusal to get vaccinated.

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The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected an appeal challenging the extradition of a former teacher wanted in Australia on charges of child sex abuse, clearing the way for her to stand trial after a six-year legal saga.

Malka Leifer, a former educator accused of sexually abusing several former students at a Jewish school in Melbourne, has been fighting extradition from Israel since 2014. Leifer maintains her innocence and the six-year legal battle surrounding her extradition has strained relations between Israel and Australia.

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The Supreme Court justices said that the ruling finalizes "the decision of the appellant as extraditable" to stand trial in Australia.

The Justice Ministry said in a statement that the ruling "brings us one significant step closer to Malka Leifer's extradition to Australia" and that the ministry "will continue to make every effort to expedite Malka Leifer's extradition to Australia so that she may stand trial for the crimes she is accused of committing."

Justice Minister Avi Nissenkorn praised the court's decision and said he would be signing the extradition order immediately.

"After long and tormenting years, the time has come to do justice with Leifer's victims," he wrote on Twitter.

Critics, including Leifer's alleged victims, have accused Israeli authorities of dragging out the legal process for far too long.

In September, a Jerusalem court approved Leifer's extradition to Australia after the country's highest court had upheld a ruling that she was mentally fit to stand trial.

Earlier this year an Israeli psychiatric panel determined that Leifer lied about suffering a mental condition that allegedly made her unfit to stand trial. As a result of the findings, the Justice Ministry said it would move to expedite her extradition to face 74 charges of child sex abuse.

Three sisters – Dassi Erlich, Nicole Meyer, and Elly Sapper – have accused Leifer of abusing them while they were students at a Melbourne ultra-Orthodox school. There are said to be other victims.

As accusations began surfacing in 2008, Israeli-born Leifer left the school and returned to Israel, where she has lived since.

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Prime Minister Scott Morrison and President Reuven Rivlin discussed their "strong commitment to seeing justice" in the case of the former principal, Malka Leifer, during a meeting at Parliament House, officials said.

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An opposition lawmaker said Rivlin had offered to personally intervene in the case if progress is not made in court this week.

Leifer has been fighting extradition from Israel for six years and the legal wrangle to bring her before an Australian court has caused a diplomatic strain between the allies.

Rivlin has been criticized for declining an invitation to meet three of the alleged victims during his visit this week to the Australian city of Melbourne, where Leifer was the principal of an ultra-Orthodox Jewish school until 2008.

Lawmaker Josh Burns, who represents an electorate where the three alleged victims – sisters Dassi Erlich, Nicole Meyer and Elly Sapper – live, said he raised their plight when Rivlin held a meeting with senior opposition lawmakers.

The Associated Press does not usually identify alleged victims of sexual abuse, but the siblings have spoken publicly about their allegations.

"I was pleased that President Rivlin advised me that if hearings scheduled this week do not see this matter progress towards Malka Leifer being extradited to Australia, he will personally meet with the Chief Justice of Israel to discuss how this matter can be expedited," Burns said in a statement, referring to President of the Supreme Court of Israel Esther Hayut.

"This matter has dragged on far too long. These victims deserve justice and I will continue to fight until Malka Leifer is back in Australia facing trial," Burns added.

Rivlin's office did not immediately respond to a request for details of any undertakings regarding the case he had given during his visit to Australia.

Erlich wrote in a letter to Rivlin through the Israeli Embassy in Australia after the president declined to meet the siblings, "We did not wish to ask you to interfere with the judicial process, only that you use your authority to ensure this case ends in a timely manner."

"Sadly, the president has underestimated the importance of this case to the Jewish and wider Australian community and the supportive encouragement that such a meeting would produce," she added.

Manny Waks, Melbourne-based chief executive of Kol v'Oz, a Jewish organization that combats child sex abuse, said it was "regrettable" that the president could not find time to meet the sisters while in Melbourne.

"It seems President Rivlin has his priorities wrong on this trip," Waks told The Australian newspaper.

Neither Morrison nor Rivlin mentioned the case during brief public comments they made in Canberra, Australia's capital, before their bilateral meeting.

Morrison praised the "stridency of the judiciary" in Israel as one of the "great principles and values that underpin freedom" for which Israel stands.

On Leifer, Rivlin told Australian Jewish News in a recent interview that he was "confident that Israel does not allow those who have committed crimes to avoid justice."

"I understand how painful and difficult the case of Malka Leifer is for the Australian Jewish community and for Australians generally," he said.

"The professional opinion of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice and the State Prosecutor's Office is that the extradition should be carried out as soon as possible and are doing everything possible to expedite it," Rivlin added.

Australia requested Leifer's extradition in 2014 on 74 charges of child sex abuse and more than 60 Israeli court hearings have followed.

The Jerusalem District Court last month granted Leifer's attorneys' request to review a psychiatrists' ruling that she is fit to stand trial for extradition.

Burns, the opposition lawmaker, and government lawmaker Dave Sharma, a former Australian ambassador to Israel, introduced a motion in Parliament earlier this month demanding Israel immediately extradite Leifer.

A date for a vote on the motion has yet to be set, but it is expected to be carried with the major parties' support.

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Prospective passengers can get a round-trip ticket for $1,199, with more expensive options in other cabin classes. The economy fare includes two pieces of checked luggage weighing up to 23 kilograms (50 pounds) each.

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El Al said the route will be inaugurated on a trial basis in April and will total three round-trip flights. A final decision on whether to continue operating this route will take place after assessing the popularity of the three flights. The final trial flight will depart Ben-Gurion International Airport on April 23 and arrive back on April 25.

The flight duration for the Tel-Aviv-Melbourne flight stands at just over 16 hours, whereas the return flight is expected to take almost 18 hours.

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