Penny Wong in furious clash with Israel after Israel retaliates after Australia's visa ban against Simcha Rothman
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has accused Benjamin Netanyahu of 'isolating Israel' after a diplomatic tit-for-tat intensified overnight.
On Monday, it was revealed that Australia had revoked the visa of conservative Israeli politician Simcha Rothman.
In response, Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said the visas of Australia's representatives to the Palestinian Authority had been revoked.
He also instructed the Israel Embassy in Canberra to carefully examine any official Australian visa application for entry into Israel.
Aussie Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed Australia's intention to recognise Palestinian statehood at next month's United Nations General Assembly.
Mr Sa'ar expressed his anger on social media as he announced the visa cancellations.
'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, including former Minister Ayelet Shaked and the Chairman of the Knesset's Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, MK Simcha Rothman,' Mr Sa'ar posted on social media platform X.
'While anti-Semitism is raging in Australia, including manifestations of violence against Jews and Jewish institutions, the Australian government is choosing to fuel it by false accusations, as if the visit of Israeli figures will disrupt public order and harm Australia's Muslim population.
'It is shameful and unacceptable!'
Israeli politician Simcha Rothman was denied entry to visit Australia for a speaking tour
Former Israeli minister Ayelet Shaked (R) was also denied entry to Australia
Australia has also previously denied entry to former Israeli minister Ayelet Shaked, and Israeli advocate Hillel Fuld.
Mr Rothman has denied children have been dying of hunger in Gaza.
He has also pushed for Israel to annex the West Bank and denied a Palestinian state should exist.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15012189/Penny-Wong-furious-clash-Israel-country-retaliates-Australias-visa-ban-Israeli-politician.html
Canada, the UK, and Australia plan to call for the recognition of Palestine at a United Nations general assembly meeting in New York in September
Senator Wong repeated calls for a ceasefire: 'A two-state solution is the only pathway to peace'
However, Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief Alex Ryvchin said Israel taking over Gaza would mean the defeat of Hamas, the designated terrorist organisation whose actions triggered the latest conflict.
'I think that the worst thing that could happen is any form of civilian return to Gaza,' he told ABC radio.
'When you have a situation where Hamas refuses to lay down its arms, refuses to release the hostages, refuses the ceasefire that's been on the table since the end of May, it leaves no choice but to complete the job militarily.
'And that's clearly what Israeli prime minister Netanyahu is planning to do.'
Aussie Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has previously said recognition of Palestinian statehood is a matter of 'when, not if'.
Mr Ryvchin said it appeared inevitable the Aussie federal government would recognise a Palestinian state in the near future.
'Australia has bound itself to the Canadians and the French and the British' Mr Ryvchin said.
The three G7 nations plan to call for the recognition of Palestine at a United Nations general assembly meeting in New York in September.
Aussie protester expressed opposition to the continued existence of both Australia and Israel
"Aussie" protester holds a poster of Iranian dictator Ali Khamenei
Aussie protester equates Zionism with Nazism during the Harbour Bridge march in Sydney, Australia
A protester holds a 'Gay Jews for Gaza' sign during the Harbour Bridge march
An estimated 90,000 protesters hit the streets of Sydney
Traffic was not allowed on the Harbour Bridge for hours during the protest
Dr Abbas was one of the Iranian scientists killed by Israeli strikes in June
Police look on as a man marches across the bridge calling for Israeli Defence Force soldiers to die
Protesters at the event
Protesters held signs during the march in Sydney
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (pictured, left) has warned the countries imposing sanctions on Israel that they must 'not forget who the real enemy is'
Conservative Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich (pictured, left to right) have been banned from travelling to Australia
Foreign Minister Penny Wong (pictured) announced the penalties, which have been supported by the UK, New Zealand, Canada and Norway
Penny Wong (left) as Anthony Albanese (right of centre) released a statement criticising Israel
Shadow Foreign Minister Michaelia Cash (pictured) criticised Albanese for not criticising Hamas harshly enough
Foreign Minister Penny Wong indicated Australia would arrest Netanyahu if he visited the country
Activists have been protesting the war in Gaza since it began following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack in Israel
Three ministers who have contributed to the unease in the Jewish community - the PM, Foreign Minister Penny Wong and most recently, Jim Chalmers, after his shocking suggestion Jewish concerns for their own welfare were 'not always unfounded'
Just one of many of a spate of anti-Semitic attacks around Sydney's eastern suburbs over the past month is pictured above
The scene at Maroubra's Jewish preschool and early learning centre which was targeted by an arson attack last month
Pro-Palestine protesters are seen in Sydney
Aussies labelled foreign affairs minister Penny Wong, 'Penny Wrong', after she supported motions before the UN to provide Palestine a pathway to statehood
Protestors also rallied under the Australian flag and used icon Aussie logos such as the Vegemite logo calling anti-Semitism 'unAustralian' (pictured)
Foreign Minister Penny Wong (pictured) has put the government's support behind a ceasefire in Gaza while sending an extra $10million in Aussie taxpayers money to the area. So far more than $70 million has been sent since Hamas terrorists attacked on October 7.
Signs saying 'Shame on you Albo' (pictured) and accusing the PM of not supporting Israel
Jewish leaders have been speaking out about increased anti-semitism in Australia
A pro-Palestine rally descended into chaos in Melbourne
The protest descended into chaos
At 7.30pm a synagogue was forced to evacuate
Protester
Protester
A white Ford Ranger with the NSW number plate 'OCT7TH' was seen on Sydney roads, with a picture of it widely shared on social media. The disrespectful plates have now been recalled
There were scenes of chaos as a demonstration was hijacked by radical Muslims shouting "Gas the Jews" beneath the steps of the Opera House (pictured)
Penny Wong, veteran Labor senator and Australia's Foreign Minister, has married her long-time partner Sophie Allouache in her home state of South Australia
Ms Wong, 55, has been in a relationship with Ms Allouache, a public servant, since 2006, and the happy couple tied the knot at Bird in Hand Winery in the Adelaide Hills
Penny Wong (right) is pictured with partner Sophie Allouache and their baby daughter Alexandra in Adelaide in 2011
Veteran Labor Senator Penny Wong is pictured with her wife Sophie Allouache
The Foreign Affairs Minister shared a picture of the blue, purple and white striped transgender flag for International Transgender Day of Visibility (pictured)
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