Shaked visa denial sparks outrage
Former Israeli interior and justice minister Ayelet Shaked has been denied a visa to visit Australia on the grounds that she could “vilify” Australians or “incite discord.”
Ayelet Shaked attends a press conference in Jerusalem, June 12, 2022. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90.
The decision has sparked anger within the Jewish community and raised questions about the Albanese government’s approach to Israel.
Shaked had planned to attend the Canberra-Jerusalem Strategic Dialogue but was informed by the Department of Home Affairs late Thursday that her application for a visitor visa had been rejected. The department invoked provisions of the Migration Act, which allows for refusal if the applicant might “vilify a segment of the Australian community” or “incite discord.” The ruling, which cannot be appealed, came despite Shaked being granted a visa two years ago to participate in an Israeli women’s event in Sydney.
Calling the decision “shameful,” Shaked accused the Albanese government of engaging in a “hostile anti-Semitic act.” She criticised the move as a betrayal of democratic values and the solidarity expected between allies.
A spokesman for Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs tweeted: “The Australian Government’s decision to deny a visa to former Israeli minister Ayelet Shaked is unacceptable. The decision is deeply offensive and troubling, and will have a negative impact on Israel-Australia relations.”
Jeremy Leibler, president of the Zionist Federation of Australia, described the decision as “baffling and deeply offensive.” He highlighted Shaked’s role in “the most diverse and centrist Israeli government in history, which included an Israeli Arab party and minister,” and questioned the government’s inconsistency. “This refusal is particularly perplexing given that this very same government granted her a visa less than two years ago,” he said. Leibler also criticised the granting of a visa to a Palestinian individual reportedly linked to terrorist organisations while barring a minister from a democratic ally. “Many Australians will rightly ask: what has changed within the government between then and now?” he added.
Speaking to The Australian newspaper, Colin Rubenstein, executive director of the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council, which co-hosted the dialogue, condemned the visa refusal as “a disgraceful act of hostility.” He argued the decision appeared to be a politically motivated attempt to seem even-handed. Rubenstein also noted that another Israeli participant, retired Major General Eitan Ben Eliahu, had been granted a visa.
Opposition home affairs spokesman James Paterson demanded an explanation, questioning why a former minister from a friendly government was now barred entry after being welcomed previously. He warned that the decision risked damaging Australia’s relationship with Israel.
Shaked, a strong advocate for Israel’s right to self-defence, has publicly defended the country’s military actions against Hamas and Hezbollah. In past interviews, she characterised Hamas leaders as “dead men walking” following the 7 October attack.
The Albanese government has not issued a detailed statement about the decision, and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke declined to comment.
A decision by Albanese’s government that is both shocking and ridiculous at the same time. I can hardly believe it and yet it is so. On the grounds of perhaps vilifying a segment of the Australian community! or inciting discord! Eyelet Shaked! It’s hard to get your head around, nachon?
And in the meantime, what about all the vilifying of the Jewish communities in Australian cities and the inciting of discord coming daily from pro-Palestinian protesters, from Greens politicians and some Labor politicians? What about that? And yet we can’t allow Eyelet Shaked, a former senior minister of the Knesset, into the country. Tony Burke: remove your blinkers. Anthony Albanese: you’ve gone too far with this and other decisions against the State of Israel. We shall never forgive you or forget.
VALE AUSTRALIA!!!