On Monday, Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed that senior Israeli politician Simcha Rothman had been denied a visa to enter Australia and won’t be allowed to reapply for another three years. Rothman, a key figure in the Israeli government and chair of the Knesset’s Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, had intended to visit on a solidarity mission with Australia’s Jewish community, which is currently facing an alarming rise in antisemitism.

“Our government takes a hard line on people who seek to come to our country and spread division,” Burke said. “If you are coming to Australia to spread a message of hate and division, we don’t want you here. Under our government, Australia will be a country where everyone can be safe, and feel safe.”

But what does “safe” really mean—and safe for whom?

Take a walk through the Sydney CBD any weekend and you’ll encounter plenty of individuals who openly preach division. Protesters march under Hamas and Hezbollah flags, chanting slogans like “From the river to the sea,” “Go back to Germany,” “F*** the Jews,” and “Gas the Jews.” Only two weeks ago, demonstrators crossed the Harbour Bridge with placards featuring Iran’s Ayatollah.........

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