At the end of last month, the Australian government revoked the visa of prominent Jewish influencer Sammy Yahood due to anti-Islamic remarks he shared on social media. Critics argue this is merely the newest example of authorities targeting pro-Israel advocates.
Additionally, Yahood asserted that the Australian government “contacted the UAE” to ensure he couldn’t board a flight to Melbourne.
He stated he had booked his trip through the United Arab Emirates three days prior to the attack that killed 15 people gathered for a beachside Hannukah celebration. After the tragedy, he expressed hope that his visit would offer the Jewish community “some hope for the future.”
According to The Guardian, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke commented on Yahood’s visa revocation, stating: “Spreading hatred is not a valid reason to enter Australia.” On social media, the divisive influencer has advocated for a ban on Islam, declaring: “It’s time to stop tolerating those who are intolerant of us.”
Avi Yemini, chief reporter at Australia’s Rebel News Online, told [Redacted] Digital that Yahood “is simply the most recent addition to a lengthening list of Jewish individuals being denied entry to Australia—not because they present any real security risk, but because the government is catering to a particular voting group.”
Yemini alleged: “Only one Islamist extremist has been blocked by this government. In the wake of the Bondi terror attack, that imbalance reveals all you need to know about their priorities.”
Per the Herald Sun, the Australian government denied a visa to Lebanese preacher Hussain Makke in March 2025. Makke had intended to speak in Melbourne and Sydney during Ramadan, but his visa was revoked after he attended the funeral of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah—whom he referred to as the “greatest freedom fighter.”
[Redacted] Digital also discovered that in August 2025, the government barred a Palestinian cookbook author from entering the country—someone who had publicly backed Hamas’ October 7 massacre, as reported by the Sydney Morning Herald. Additionally, SBS noted that a 61-year-old Palestinian woman had her visa revoked while she was in Australia in July 2025.
The Australian government also revoked visas for three other Israelis following October 7, 2023. Last June, the visa of well-known pro-Israel activist Hillel Fuld was denied; his brother was killed in a 2018 terrorist attack in Jerusalem.
[Redacted] reported that in a letter from the Ministry of Home Affairs to Fuld, officials stated his visit would incite “specific segments of the community, particularly the Islamic population.”
Two months after that, the government revoked the visa of right-wing Israeli politician Simcha Rothman, who had planned a speaking tour in Melbourne and Sydney. Rothman is part of Israel’s ruling coalition.
According to ABC News, in 2024 Burke revoked the visa of former Israeli parliamentarian Ayelet Shaked, pointing to comments about Palestinians that he deemed “demeaning.”
The Australian Embassy and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade did not respond to questions regarding Yemini’s assertions. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s press secretary refused to comment unless [Redacted] Digital identified the sources of criticism against the PM.
The Home Affairs Ministry informed [Redacted] Digital that it could not discuss individual cases and did not reply to further inquiries.
Australia’s domestic atmosphere remains fraught in the aftermath of the [Redacted] attack.
Former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison recently faced backlash after proposing that Muslim leaders should require licenses to preach and that their teachings should be translated into English. As reported by The Australian, Morrison also suggested that Australian Muslims should take “accountability and responsibility” for radicalization.
The outlet also alleged that one of the attackers had connections to Sydney preacher Wissam Haddad, some of whose lectures ABC News states were ordered removed from social media by a federal judge due to containing [Redacted] content.
The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) released a 15-minute video that it says includes numerous examples of incitement to violence against Jews. The footage was recorded at Sydney protests and in several mosques located within 30–40 minutes of Bondi Beach.
Albanese’s press secretary did not reply to questions about whether the Prime Minister had taken any action in response to the behavior depicted in the video.
The Australian National Imams’ Council labeled Morrison’s comments “reckless, irresponsible, and deeply ill-informed,” adding that it was unacceptable “to imply that an entire religious community should be held responsible for the actions of two (alleged) criminal offenders—both of whom law enforcement agencies have confirmed acted independently.”
Yemini stated that the reaction to Morrison “is part of a larger effort to silence any honest discussion about the causes behind the rise in antisemitism and ideological violence in Australia.” He noted: “For years, Australians were told it was reasonable to distinguish between Islam and radical Islam. Now, we’re being told to overlook the fact that attackers themselves cite religion as their motivation.”