Simcha Rothman, a member of Knesset from the state-religion Knesset group of the far-right Religious Zionism party, has been prohibited from entering Australia. He was due to participate in public and private events in Sydney and Melbourne this August. Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke decided to deny Rothman’s visa application. He ruled that Rothman is barred from applying for any other visa for three years.
Rothman is a prominent figure in the Netanyahu government’s coalition and serves under the leadership of Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. His visa denial only draws further attention to the current diplomatic strain between the Australian government and the Israeli government. This new development follows the unprecedented move by the Albanese government to approve Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir in June.
Rothman was going to go to every event they had that was called a “solidarity tour.” The intention had been to mobilize popular support behind the Israeli government. Bart Shteinman from the organising council said that Rothman’s visit focused attention on Australia’s inadequate response to the actions of the Israeli government. He called it “shallow and incomplete.”
Rothman has been a major lightning rod of controversy in Israeli politics. He may be best remembered for advancing legislation to remove all mentions of the West Bank in state texts, referring to it instead as “Judea and Samaria.” In that time, he has been a key person behind the scenes boomeranging efforts to allow a Knesset majority. This would give them the power to nullify almost any Supreme Court decisions. Rothman has long been one of the loudest opponents of a two-state solution. He has repeatedly supported former U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to ethnically cleanse Palestinians from Gaza, arguing that doing so would be imperative for Israel’s security.
Unfortunately, his reckless rhetoric has raised the alarms both here and abroad. Most controversially, he referred to Palestinian children in Gaza as “enemies” and claimed they should be prevented from escaping into Israel.
Soon after the visa denial went public, Rothman was on social media sounding off. He condemned the Albanese government for engaging in “obvious and overt antisemitism.” He argues that his ban from coming to Australia is due to political prejudice rather than any real concerns.
“They are our enemies and according to international treaties about refugees in the time of war, you don’t let them conquer your country with refugees.” – Simcha Rothman
Tony Burke addressed the situation, emphasizing that under the current Australian government, the nation aims to be a place where everyone can feel safe. He tweeted, “If you’re coming to Australia to preach division and hate, you can’t come here.” This language makes clear the Administration’s hard line on letting in people who support destructive, difference-dividing ideologies.
Robert Gregory, speaking for the Australian Jewish Association (AJA), criticized real-world effects of Rothman’s visa rejection. He made clear that AJA is not standing behind every proclamation from every speaker of years past. AJA is determined to provide the Australian Jewish community with chances to hear from different voices in Israeli and Australian politics.
“In general, AJA does not take positions on every statement made by past speakers, but as a community organisation we believe in giving the Jewish community the opportunity to hear from Israeli and Australian decision-makers across the political spectrum.” – Robert Gregory
Many speak highly of Rothman as a gifted communicator who speaks articulately and forcefully in defense of Israel’s interests and the Jewish community. It was his intentionally provocative positions on major issues that impact both Israelis and Palestinians that drew the most outrage upon his arrival.