CANBERRA — Australia’s government has revoked the visa of Israeli-American pro-Israel influencer Hillel Fuld, citing risk to “the health, safety or good order” of the country, even as two Sydney nurses who threatened to kill Israeli patients received only two‑year bans from healthcare roles.
The Department of Home Affairs stated Fuld’s social media posts could incite discord, especially among Australia’s Muslim community. The ban has sparked backlash. U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee and Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel urged reconsideration, calling the decision “not how allies act.”
By contrast, two Sydney nurses, Ahmad Rashad Nadir and Sarah Abu Lebdeh, had threatened to kill Israeli patients on video. They were deregistered and suspended from National Disability Insurance Scheme roles for two years.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the nurses’ remarks as “sickening and shameful.” Yet critics highlight the discrepancy. “The visa ban on a peaceful Jewish advocate and the modest suspension of violent antisemitic medical staff raise urgent questions about consistency,” said Alex Ryvchin of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry.
Fuld, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen, had planned fundraising events in Sydney and Melbourne for Magen David Adom. He asserts he does not incite violence. He told JNS, “Nothing about my tweets… incites violence or Islamophobia.”
Observers note long-standing visa cancellations of Israeli figures: last year, Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked was also barred; in contrast, Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur known for critical views on Israel, received entry.
The case has drawn significant legal scrutiny. One of the nurses is challenging the admissibility of the secretly recorded video, claiming it was obtained without consent. Meanwhile, authorities in New South Wales have charged both individuals with harassment and making threats.
Canada, the U.S., and Israel closely follow Australia’s policies on hate speech and visa enforcement, especially amid rising antisemitism globally. Jewish groups argue Australia’s actions contradict principles of equal application of law toward both incitement and advocacy.
Australia now faces pressure to clarify its criteria. Is the country more inclined to restrict peaceful pro-Israel voices than to punish violent antisemitic acts?
This article is based on verified information from Reuters, The Times of Israel, JNS, AP, Australian Jewish News, The Guardian, and other reputable media outlets.