MEDIA RELEASE – ALBANESE GOVERNMENT MISHANDLES ISRAEL RELATIONSHIP

Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash
Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs
Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
Senator for Western Australia

19 August 2025

ALBANESE GOVERNMENT MISHANDLES ISRAEL RELATIONSHIP

The Coalition has serious concerns about the Albanese Government’s reasons for cancelling the visa of Israeli parliamentarian Simcha Rothman and the escalating diplomatic consequences this reckless action has triggered.

It is extraordinary that Home Affairs documents, as reported in the media, reveal the stated reasons for blocking Mr Rothman’s entry into Australia was in part his advocacy for the elimination of Hamas – a listed terrorist organisation responsible for murdering thousands of innocent civilians, including women and children, and continuing to hold hostages in Gaza.

To suggest that calls for the destruction of Hamas are “inflammatory” or grounds for visa cancellation is absurd. Hamas is an internationally recognised terror group, and standing against them should never be seen as controversial.

It is concerning to see the ongoing deterioration in the Australia-Israel relationship. The decision to revoke visas of Australian diplomats is regrettable. Australian diplomats should be allowed to do their work on our behalf in the region, and we will be seeking information about the basis for the cancellation of these visas.

The Albanese Government has badly mismanaged this relationship at a time when careful diplomacy is more important than ever. Instead of maintaining trust with Israel – one of our closest democratic allies – Labor has recklessly inflamed tensions and undermined Australia’s credibility.

Having a different opinion to the Albanese Government is not grounds for a visa cancellation. Australia should welcome debate and engagement – not shut it down because Labor disagrees with someone’s politics.

This incident comes on top of Labor’s reckless decision to unilaterally recognise a Palestinian state ahead of a proper peace process, a move praised by Hamas itself. At a time when Hamas continues to commit atrocities and regional stability is on a knife edge, Australians deserve a government that stands firmly against terrorism and protects our national interest. Instead, Anthony Albanese and his ministers are deepening diplomatic rifts and undermining Australia’s standing on the world stage.

ENDS