Visa Application Under Review for Israeli Journalist Zvi Yehezkeli
Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke is currently evaluating whether to deny a visa application from Israeli TV journalist Zvi Yehezkeli, who is scheduled to attend fundraising events in Sydney and Melbourne next month. Yehezkeli's visa status has come under scrutiny due to his previous controversial remarks following Hamas' attack on 7 October.
The events, supported by the Australian Jewish Association (AJA) and other groups, will also feature former Israeli president Reuven Rivlin. Burke expressed surprise that Yehezkeli had announced a speaking tour prior to receiving visa approval.
“It always surprises me when somebody who has made the sorts of comments that this individual has, advertises a speaking tour before they’ve even received a visa,” Burke said.
Controversial Statements by Zvi Yehezkeli
Yehezkeli, who serves as an Arab affairs commentator on Israeli TV channel i24, has made inflammatory statements in recent years. Notably, after the Hamas attack on 7 October, he stated that Israel should have responded by killing 100,000 Gazans.
“I know that those 100,000 will not all be Hamas members,” Yehezkeli said, estimating Hamas had approximately 20,000 members in the Gaza Strip.
In August of the previous year, following an Israeli strike that killed journalist Hussam al-Masri and 19 others, Yehezkeli referred to some journalists as "terrorist journalists." He commented on air:
“If Israel has decided to eliminate the journalists, better late than never.”
Subsequently, Yehezkeli issued an apology in a video post clarifying his stance:
“I certainly did not call for killing journalists, only those [who] use ‘press’ credentials as cover to fight, which makes them terrorists in every respect.”
Diplomatic Tensions Between Australia and Israel
Tensions between Australia and Israel escalated in August last year after Minister Burke criticized Israeli lawmaker Simcha Rothman. Rothman had described Palestinian children in Gaza as “enemies” and advocated for Israel’s full control over the West Bank.
Diplomatic strains have continued, with Israel threatening to expel Australian representatives from the Palestinian Authority, citing Australia’s “unjustified refusal” to grant visas to certain Israeli figures.
Additionally, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly criticized Burke, labeling him a “weak politician who betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia’s Jews.”
Last month, Jewish influencer Sammy Yahood faced visa denial for a tour also supported by the AJA.
Minister Burke’s Position on Hate Speech and Visa Approvals
Minister Burke emphasized the importance of not allowing individuals who spread hatred to enter Australia, stating:
“Spreading hatred is not a good reason to come.”
