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Australian Government Cancels Jewish Influencer’s Visa, Sparking Controversy Over Perceived Bias
The Australian government has canceled a travel visa for Jewish influencer Sammy Yahood over anti-Islamic comments on social media, fueling criticism that authorities are disproportionately targeting pro-Israel voices while being more lenient toward anti-Jewish rhetoric.
In an Instagram post, Yahood claimed Australian officials contacted the United Arab Emirates to prevent him from boarding a flight to Melbourne. He had booked his travel through the UAE just days before the deadly Bondi Beach terror attack that killed 15 people at a Hanukkah celebration. Yahood stated he had hoped his visit would provide “some hope for the future” to Australia’s Jewish community following the tragedy.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke defended the decision, stating that “spreading hatred is not a good reason to come” to Australia. Yahood has previously called for a ban on Islam, saying, “it’s time to stop being tolerant of those that are not tolerant of us.”
Avi Yemini, chief reporter for Rebel News Online in Australia, told Fox News Digital that Yahood “is just the latest name on a growing list of Jews being barred from entering Australia, not because they pose any genuine security threat, but because this government is pandering to a specific voting bloc.”
Yemini claimed that “only one Islamist extremist has been stopped under this government,” referring to Lebanese preacher Hussain Makke, whose visa was canceled in March 2025 after he attended the funeral of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and described him as the “greatest freedom fighter.”
Critics point to what they see as an imbalance in visa cancellations. While the government blocked a Palestinian cookbook author who had expressed support for Hamas’s October 7 attack and canceled a 61-year-old Palestinian woman’s visa in July 2025, they note that at least three prominent Israelis have had their visas canceled since October 7, 2023.
In June last year, the government blocked pro-Israel activist Hillel Fuld, whose brother was killed in a terrorist attack in Jerusalem in 2018. According to The Times of Israel, a letter from the Ministry of Home Affairs stated his visit would incite “particular segments of the community, namely the Islamic population.”
Two months later, right-wing Israeli politician Simcha Rothman, a member of Israel’s governing coalition, had his visa canceled ahead of a speaking tour in Melbourne and Sydney. In 2024, Home Affairs Minister Burke canceled a visa for former Israeli parliamentarian Ayelet Shaked, citing remarks about Palestinians that he deemed “demeaning.”
When approached for comment, the Australian Embassy and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade did not respond to questions about these claims. The Home Affairs Ministry told Fox News Digital it could not comment on specific cases, while Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s press secretary declined to respond without Fox News Digital naming its sources of criticism.
The social and political climate in Australia remains tense following the Bondi Beach massacre. Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison recently drew condemnation for suggesting that Muslim leaders should be licensed to preach and that their teaching should be translated into English. Morrison suggested that Muslims in Australia should take “accountability and responsibility” for radicalization.
The Australian National Imams’ Council called Morrison’s remarks “reckless, irresponsible, and deeply ill-informed,” stating it was unacceptable “to suggest that an entire faith community should be held accountable for the actions of two (alleged) criminal offenders, both of whom law enforcement agencies have confirmed acted alone.”
Meanwhile, reports have emerged linking one of the Bondi Beach shooters to Sydney preacher Wissam Haddad, whose lectures were ordered removed from social media by a federal judge for containing “racist and antisemitic” content. The Middle East Media Research Institute has also produced footage allegedly showing incitement to violence against Jews at protests in Sydney and at mosques near Bondi Beach.
Yemini characterized the response to Morrison as “part of a broader attempt to shut down any honest conversation about what is driving the surge in antisemitism and ideological violence in Australia,” adding that Australians were once told to “distinguish between Islam and radical Islam” but are now “being told to ignore the fact that attackers themselves cite religion as their motivation.”
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10 Comments
The Australian government’s decision to cancel this influencer’s visa raises concerning questions about freedom of speech and potential bias. However, we must also be mindful of the real risk of inciteful rhetoric leading to violence, as seen in the Bondi Beach attack. A balanced approach is needed.
Well said. This is a complex issue without easy answers. Maintaining public safety while upholding civil liberties is an ongoing challenge for policymakers.
This is a complex and sensitive issue. While hate speech should not be tolerated, banning influencers over controversial views risks further polarizing the debate. A balanced, fact-based approach that addresses root causes is needed to promote unity and prevent future attacks.
I agree, this is a delicate situation that requires nuance. Censorship is a blunt tool that can backfire if not applied carefully.
This is a complex issue where legitimate security concerns must be balanced against principles of free expression. While the government has a duty to protect public safety, the decision to cancel this individual’s visa warrants close scrutiny to ensure it is not an overreach.
The Bondi Beach terror attack was a tragic event, and the government’s desire to prevent further violence is understandable. However, the decision to target this pro-Israel influencer raises concerns about potential bias. A more transparent and evenhanded approach would be ideal.
I agree, the appearance of bias is concerning. The government should strive for consistency and fairness in how it addresses inflammatory rhetoric, regardless of the speaker’s background or political views.
The details of this case are still emerging, but the broader implications are concerning. Banning influencers over their views, even controversial ones, sets a troubling precedent and risks further polarizing an already tense situation. A more measured, fact-based approach would be preferable.
Agreed. Maintaining public safety is crucial, but so is upholding democratic values like freedom of speech. The government must tread carefully to avoid undermining its own legitimacy.
I’m curious to learn more about the specifics of this case and the government’s justification for the visa cancellation. Banning individuals from entry is a serious step that warrants close scrutiny to ensure it is not an overreach or abuse of power.