Australia has cancelled the visa of a prominent Israeli influencer known for anti-Islam rhetoric, reinforcing its position that visitors who seek to promote hatred will not be allowed to enter the country.
The influencer, Sami Yehoud, said his visa was revoked just three hours before his scheduled flight from Israel. He later criticised the decision on social media, describing it as an act of censorship and authoritarian control.
Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said in a statement seen by Agence France-Presse on Tuesday that all visitors must apply for the appropriate visa and demonstrate legitimate reasons for travel. He added that spreading hatred does not constitute a valid reason to visit Australia.
The decision comes amid a tightening of Australia’s hate crime laws following a mass shooting on December 14 at Bondi Beach during Jewish Hanukkah celebrations, which left 15 people dead. The attack prompted a renewed national focus on combating extremism and hate-driven violence.
Yehoud, who also holds British citizenship, reportedly had his visa cancelled under the same legal provisions previously used to deny entry to other individuals accused of promoting hate. These measures allow authorities to block entry to foreign nationals deemed likely to incite hostility or division.
The conservative Australian Jewish Association, which had invited the influencer to speak, strongly criticised the government’s decision. The group said it condemned the move by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s administration and expressed concern over what it described as a pattern of visa cancellations affecting Jewish visitors.
The association also pointed to the earlier denial of entry to Israeli far-right politician Simcha Rothman last year. Its chief executive, Robert Gregory, said the latest decision reinforced concerns within parts of the Jewish community about the government’s approach, despite official statements condemning hate crimes and violence.
Australian authorities have maintained that visa decisions are guided by national security, public safety, and social cohesion considerations, particularly at a time of heightened sensitivity around hate speech and extremism.
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