Israeli journalist who said 100,000 Gazans should have been killed after 7 October could be denied Australia visa

Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke is considering denying a visa to Israeli journalist Zvi Yehezkeli who once stated that 100,000 Gazans should have been killed following Hamas' October 7 attack, potentially preventing him from attending speaking events in Sydney and Melbourne next month. The TV journalist, who works for Israeli channel i24 as an Arab affairs commentator, is scheduled to appear at two events in March supported by the Australian Jewish Association and other groups alongside former Israeli president Reuven Rivlin. Burke indicated he is still considering Yehezkeli's visa application, noting it was surprising that someone with such controversial history would advertise a speaking tour before receiving visa approval. 'It always surprises me when somebody who has made the sorts of comments that this individual has, advertises a speaking tour before they've even received a visa,' the minister stated. Yehezkeli has faced criticism for multiple inflammatory statements. Following Hamas' October 7 attack, he suggested Israel should have killed 100,000 Gazans, acknowledging not all would have been Hamas members. After the death of Reuters journalist Hussam al-Masri and 19 others in an Israeli strike in August last year, Yehezkeli accused journalists killed in Gaza of being 'terrorist journalists,' saying 'If Israel has decided to eliminate the journalists, better late than never.' He later issued an apology, clarifying he only referred to those who use press credentials as cover to fight. This case follows previous tensions between Australia and Israel over visa issues. Last August, Burke denied a visa to far-right Israeli politician Simcha Rothman who described Palestinian children as 'enemies,' prompting Israel to revoke visas for Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized Australian leader Anthony Albanese as 'a weak politician who betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia's Jews.' Last month, Jewish influencer Sammy Yahood was also barred from Australia for a tour supported by the Australian Jewish Association, with Burke stating 'spreading hatred is not a good reason to come.'