Gantz lashes ‘misguided’ Australia, but some in opposition back Canberra

Despite sitting across the aisle, opposition party head Benny Gantz speaks out in defense of Religious Zionism MK Simcha Rothman after the right-wing lawmaker was banned from visiting Australia.

“MK Rothman & I have stark political and ideological differences — yet Australia’s decision to bar him from entry is not only deeply misguided, but blatantly hypocritical,” National Unity leader Benny Gantz writes on X in an English post.

“If only Australia fought the ravaging antisemitism targeting its Jewish communities with the same fervor it banned representatives from the one & only democracy in the Middle East,” he continues.

Not everyone from the opposition agrees.

“Contrary to Smotrich’s statements, the people of Israel absolutely do not stand behind Rothman,” Yesh Atid MK Vladimir Beliak writes in response to a statement from Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich that his party colleague enjoys wide support from Israelis across the political spectrum.

“The people of Israel cannot stand Rothman, and the people of Israel genuinely do not care whether Rothman — who is funded up to his neck with foreign money — enters Australia or not,” he writes on X.

“It is also important to clarify to the world that politicians like Rothman absolutely do not represent Jewish and democratic Israel.”

Hadash MK Mossin Raz quips online that “Australia is mistaken. Better [Rothman] should do damage in Australia rather than living in a settlement and harming the Knesset Law, Constitution and Justice Committee.”

Rothman was scheduled to fly to Australia tonight to visit the Jewish community there, but was informed this morning that his visa had been rejected.