Australia chides Israel after diplomats’ visas revoked
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Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said revoking the visas of diplomats from her country was an “unjustified reaction” by Israel.
PHOTO: AFP
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SYDNEY – Australia’s Foreign Minister on Aug 19 criticised Israel for revoking visas held by Canberra’s diplomatic representatives
Israel’s tit-for-tat move followed Australia’s decision on the evening of Aug 18 to block a far-right Israeli politician from the country ahead of a speaking tour.
Australia and Israel have been increasingly at odds since Canberra declared it would recognise a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said revoking the diplomats’ visas was an “unjustified reaction” by Israel.
“At a time when dialogue and diplomacy are needed more than ever, the Netanyahu government is isolating Israel and undermining international efforts towards peace and a two-state solution,” she said in a statement.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hit back on Aug 19, slamming his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese as “a weak politician who betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia’s Jews”.
The Australian government on Aug 18 had cancelled the visa of far-right Israeli politician Simcha Rothman, whose ultra-nationalist party is in Mr Netanyahu’s governing coalition.
Mr Rothman had been scheduled to speak at events organised by the Australian Jewish Association.
Hours later, Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said he had revoked the visas of Australia’s representatives to the Palestinian Authority.
“I also instructed the Israeli Embassy in Canberra to carefully examine any official Australian visa application for entry to Israel,” he said.
“This follows Australia’s decisions to recognise a ‘Palestinian state’ and against the backdrop of Australia’s unjustified refusal to grant visas to a number of Israeli figures.” AFP
