Australia chides Israel after it revokes visas of diplomats to PA, in ongoing spat

Australia’s foreign minister criticizes Israel for revoking visas held by Canberra’s diplomatic representatives to the Palestinian Authority.

Israel’s tit-for-tat move followed Australia’s decision on Monday to block far-right MK Simcha Rothman from the country ahead of a speaking tour.

Australia and Israel have been increasingly at odds since Canberra declared earlier this month that it would recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong says revoking the diplomats’ visas was an “unjustified reaction” by Israel.

“At a time when dialogue and diplomacy are needed more than ever, the Netanyahu Government is isolating Israel and undermining international efforts towards peace and a two-state solution,” she says in a statement.

The Australian government on Monday cancelled Rothman’s visa. His Religious Zionism party is a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition.

Rothman had been scheduled to speak at events organized by the Australian Jewish Association.

Later on Monday, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said he had revoked the visas of Australia’s representatives to the Palestinian Authority.

“I also instructed the Israeli Embassy in Canberra to carefully examine any official Australian visa application for entry to Israel,” he said. “This follows Australia’s decisions to recognize a ‘Palestinian state’ and against the backdrop of Australia’s unjustified refusal to grant visas to a number of Israeli figures.”