The Australian government has cancelled the visa of prominent Israeli social media influencer Sami Yehud.
According to international news agencies, Australia’s Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke stated that individuals who spread hatred will not be allowed to enter the country.
He further said that visas would be cancelled for those who intend to promote hatred, prejudice, and social division.
Israeli-born Sami Yehud had posted several hateful messages on the microblogging platform X (formerly Twitter), in which he described Islam as a “disgusting ideology.”
The Israeli influencer also spread false propaganda, claiming that Islam does not recognise the rights of non-Muslims, apostates, women, children, and homosexuals.
His posts encouraged hateful views against Islam and Muslims, with several users adopting threatening language and inciting anti-Muslim sentiment in response.
Confirming the visa cancellation, Sami Yehud said his visa was revoked approximately three hours before his scheduled departure.
He had travelled from Israel to Abu Dhabi but was not allowed to board his connecting flight to Melbourne.
Following this, Sami Yehud criticised the Australian government’s decision on social media, calling it an act of authoritarianism, censorship, and control, and announced that he would pursue legal action against the decision.
In support of the Israeli influencer, the Jewish Association of Australia also stepped in, accusing the government of unfairly targeting Jewish visitors and claiming that the decision raises concerns about religious freedom.
