Australia Revokes Visa of Israeli Influencer Accused of Inciting Hatred
Australia has officially revoked the visa of Israeli influencer Sammy Yahood, known for propagating Islamophobic content online. This decision aligns with the country’s commitment to preventing the entry of individuals who promote hatred.
Background on Sammy Yahood
Sammy Yahood, a social media commentator originally from the UK, recently became an Israeli citizen. He has gained notoriety for his controversial statements regarding Islam, asserting it as an ideology that is intolerant of various rights.
Visa Revocation Details
The announcement came from Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke, who emphasized that Australia would not welcome visitors that spread hate. Yahood discovered his visa cancellation just three hours before his scheduled departure from Israel to Australia.
Statements Prior to Visa Cancellation
- Hours before his visa was revoked, Yahood posted on X, claiming: “Islam… does not tolerate non-believers, apostates, and various rights.”
- He described Islam using derogatory terms such as “disgusting ideology” and “aggressor.”
Context of the Decision
This visa cancellation follows Australia’s tightening of hate crime laws, particularly after a mass shooting incident at a Jewish celebration in Sydney that resulted in 15 fatalities. Yahood’s online activity included advocacy for the deportation of U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar, a Muslim, further raising alarms.
International and Domestic Reactions
Despite the visa revocation, Yahood managed to fly from Israel to Abu Dhabi but was unable to board his connecting flight to Melbourne. He announced on X that his ban from Australia was unlawful and expressed intentions to pursue legal action.
The conservative Australian Jewish Association, which had initially invited Yahood for speaking engagements in Sydney and Melbourne, publicly condemned the visa cancellation by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government.
Precedents in Visa Revocation
Yahood’s visa cancellation follows the precedent set by Minister Burke, who previously revoked visas for individuals, including Israeli-American activist Hillel Fuld, known for similar Islamophobic rhetoric. Another case involved Simcha Rothman, an Israeli lawmaker whose speaking tour was deemed potentially divisive.
This action underscores a broader commitment by Australia to maintain social harmony and prevent the spread of divisive ideologies through its immigration policies.
