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Source: https://www.australianjewishnews.com/a-brutal-political-act/
"The Australian Government Is Confused between Good and Evil"
(Australian Jewish News) Ayelet Shaked interviewed by Anna Pasternak - Former Israeli Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked has accused the Australian government, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of the Labor Party, of being "confused between good and evil" after she was denied a visa to travel to Australia, where she had been invited to speak by the Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC). Shaked was last granted a visa to Australia in February 2023. "It's undemocratic and it has never happened to me before from any other country," said Shaked. "It is a political act committed against my country, so I'm not taking it personally. I think it mainly embarrasses them and it's disgraceful for them. Countries that are allies, like Israel and Australia, cannot do such things. Australia and Israel have a very warm relationship, and we consider Australia as a strong ally of Israel, and it doesn't matter who the government is." A spokesperson for Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "The Australian government's decision to deny a visa to former Israeli minister Ayelet Shaked is unacceptable. The decision is deeply offensive and troubling, and will have a negative impact on Israel-Australia relations." Opposition home affairs spokesman James Paterson said, "The Albanese government must explain why a former minister in a friendly government and someone they granted a visa to only two years ago is now such a threat they must be banned from Australia."