Become a Member
Israel

Australia bars far-right MK hours before visit to meet victims of antisemitic attacks

Simcha Rothman was accused of ‘spreading hate and division’ by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke

August 18, 2025 10:49
F250609CG001.jpg
Religious Zionism MK Simcha Rothman has been banned from entering Australia hours before he was due to visit the country to meet the victims of recent antisemitic attacks (Image: Flash90)
1 min read

Australia has barred a far-right MK just hours before he was due to visit the country and meet victims of a wave of recent antisemitic attacks.

Simcha Rothman, of the Religious Zionism party, was invited by a conservative Jewish community body, the Australian Jewish Association (AJA), to tour schools and synagogues affected by attacks.

But, per The Guardian, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has blocked the MK from entering the country over his past rhetoric.

Rothman is an advocate of West Bank annexation and has previously accused anti-government protestors in Israel of adopting "the playbook of the anti-Israel and pro-Hamas movement".

To get more Israel news, click here to sign up for our free Israel Briefing newsletter.