Australia revokes Israeli influencer’s visa over anti-Islam remarks

2026-01-28 - 06:21

SYDNEY – Australia on Wednesday cancelled the visa of an Israeli social media influencer following what the authorities described as anti-Islam statements. Australia reaffirmed that the country would not admit visitors who promote hatred. According to the international media reports, the influencer, identified as Sami Yahoud, had been running an online campaign critical of Islam. His visa was revoked just three hours before his scheduled departure from Israel. Reacting to the decision, Yahoud expressed anger on social media, referring to Islam as a “hate-based ideology.” Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said those wishing to travel to Australia must apply for the appropriate visa and come for legitimate purposes, adding that spreading hatred does not qualify as a valid reason for entry. The media reports said that the move comes in the wake of stricter hate crime laws introduced after a deadly shooting at a Hanukkah event on Sydney’s Bondi Beach on December 14 last year, in which 15 people were killed.