Israeli influencer who promotes hatred against Muslims denied entry to Australia

Australia has revoked the visa of an Israeli influencer, who promotes hatred against Islam, saying the country will not allow entry to people who promote hatred.

Sammy Yahood said that his visa was cancelled just three hours before his scheduled flight from Israel on Monday.

Despite the visa cancellation, Yahood travelled to Abu Dhabi but was stopped from boarding his onward flight to Australia.

Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said in a statement to AFP that visitors must come to the country with appropriate intentions.

“People who want to visit Australia should apply for the right visa and come for the right reasons,” Burke said, adding, “Spreading hatred is not a good reason to come.”

The visa cancellation comes after Australia strengthened its hate crime laws earlier this month, following a deadly mass shooting at a Hanukkah gathering at Bondi Beach on December 14 that left 15 people dead.

According to reports, Yahood’s visa was revoked under the same legal provisions that have previously been used to deny entry to individuals accused of promoting hate.