Australia bars former Israeli Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked over concerns of ‘incitement'

Australia has banned former Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked from entering the country to attend a conference organized by the Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council. 

According to "The Australian", Shaked was barred entry over concerns she might “incite discord.” The decision to reject her visa was based on a parliamentary act that permits banning individuals from entering the country if they are deemed likely to “vilify a segment of the Australian community, or incite discord in the Australian community or in a segment of that community.” 

Shaked wrote on 𝕏, “The issue here is not that I didn't get a visa. The issue here is that the current Australian government has become anti-Semitic.” 

The issue here is not that I didn't get a visa. The issue here is that the current Australian government has become anti-Semitic pic.twitter.com/x1v7xOInpA

— איילת שקד Ayelet Shaked (@Ayelet__Shaked) November 21, 2024

Jeremy Leibler, president of the Zionist Federation of Australia, condemned the move by the Australian government, calling it “both baffling and deeply offensive.” 

The Australian Government’s decision to refuse a visa to Ayelet Shaked is both baffling and deeply offensive. Ayelet is a former Justice Minister in the most diverse and centrist Israeli government in history, which included an Israeli Arab party and minister.

This refusal is…

— Jeremy Leibler (@jeremyleibler) November 21, 2024

Leibler noted that Shaked served as justice minister “in the most diverse and centrist Israeli government in history.”

“This refusal is particularly perplexing given that this very same government granted her a visa less than two years ago,” he added

Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council chief Colin Rubenstein told The Australian that Shaked’s ban was “a disgraceful act of hostility towards a democratic ally.” 

Speaking with Israel’s Channel 12 News, Shaked said, “The current Australian government is an extreme anti-Israeli and pro-Palestinian government, some of it even anti-Semitic, which, for political reasons and because I oppose a Palestinian state, does not allow me to reach a strategic dialogue between Israel and Australia. These are dark days for Australian democracy – this government has chosen the wrong side of history.” 

Members of the Australian Jewish community noted the hypocrisy of "a government that does not take action against an Iranian ambassador who calls for genocide” but does deny entry to a former member of an ally government. 

Following Australia’s denial of entry to Shaked, the Israel's Ministry of Interior said it will “examine reciprocal measures to prevent Australians from entering Israel.” 

At a conference on Thursday, Interior Minister Moshe Arbel said, "I would like to begin with a strong condemnation of the Australian government, which in a despicable decision decided not to approve the entry of former Minister of Justice and Interior Ayelet Shaked into the country because of her opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state.” 

At the time of publication, the Israeli government had not announced any such measures.