Gideon Sa’ar, the Israeli Foreign Minister, announced the cancellation of the diplomats’ visas, citing Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state and the refusal to allow a far-right Israeli politician entry into the country as reasons for this move.

“It is shameful and unacceptable!”

Wong said the move was an “unjustified reaction, following Australia’s decision to recognise Palestine”.

Sa’ar also mentioned that Israel will “carefully examine” future visa applications from Australian officials. He criticized the Australian government’s stance, claiming it exacerbates antisemitism by falsely alleging that visits from Israeli figures would disturb public order and adversely affect Australia’s Muslim community.

Wong said Australia would continue to take “decisive action against antisemitism”.

Penny Wong emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy, criticizing the Netanyahu government’s actions as isolating Israel and undermining the peace process. She reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to pursuing a two-state solution, ceasefire in Gaza, and release of hostages by collaborating with international partners.

“Australia welcomes different races, religions and views, united by respect for each other’s humanity and for each other’s right to live in peace.

“We safeguard our communities and protect all Australians from hate and harm.”

Bethany Randall, who serves as Australia’s representative in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and is stationed in Ramallah, has yet to make a public comment.

Israeli lawmaker Simcha Rothman earlier accused Australia of antisemitism after it denied him a visa for a speaking tour.

The barred Israeli politician, Rothman, is a member of the Religious Zionism party. This party advocates for the continuation of the conflict, supports the mass relocation of Palestinians through what it terms voluntary migration, and endorses the reestablishment of Jewish settlements in Gaza.

“The Australian government’s decision to deny me the opportunity to come and speak to my people, due to expressing simple and clear positions, is clear and blatant antisemitism that gives a boost to terrorism,” Rothman said.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke defended the denials.

“If you are coming to Australia to spread a message of hate and division, we don’t want you here,” he said.

In announcing the impending recognition of Palestine, Albanese said a “two-state solution is humanity’s best hope to break the cycle of violence in the Middle East and to bring an end to the conflict, suffering and starvation in Gaza”.

Australia joined 27 other Western-allied nations in a joint statement last month calling for an end to the war and joined a smaller circle of countries in sanctioning two far-right Israeli government ministers accused of inciting violence against Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Hamas said Monday it has accepted a new proposal from Arab mediators for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip that would still need Israel’s approval, as Gaza’s Health Ministry said the Palestinian death toll from 22 months of war has passed 62,000.

US President Donald Trump meanwhile appeared to cast doubt on the long-running negotiations. 

“We will only see the return of the remaining hostages when Hamas is confronted and destroyed!!! The sooner this takes place, the better the chances of success will be,” he posted on his Truth Social site.

– Reported with Associated Press.