In a decisive move against hate speech, Australian authorities have revoked the visa of British-Israeli social media influencer Sammy Yahood, preventing his entry into the country. The decision, executed just three hours before his scheduled departure from Israel, was confirmed by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke on Monday evening.
Yahood, an Instagram personality with 171,000 followers known for his anti-Islam rhetoric, had planned a speaking tour and self-defense workshops across Australia. The influencer has repeatedly characterized Islam as a ‘disgusting ideology’ and called for the deportation of Muslim politicians from Western nations.
Minister Burke defended the cancellation, stating unequivocally that ‘spreading hatred is not a good reason to come to Australia.’ He emphasized that visitors must apply for appropriate visas and demonstrate legitimate purposes for their entry.
The controversial figure, who recently relocated to Israel after growing up in London, serves as a volunteer instructor in Krav Maga, the martial art developed by the Israeli military. Following the visa denial, Yahood launched a social media tirade against Minister Burke, labeling him a ‘tyrant’ while praising the United Arab Emirates for their hospitality.
This action occurs against the backdrop of Australia’s recently enhanced federal hate speech legislation, enacted following the mass shooting at a Jewish festival in Sydney’s Bondi Beach. The new legal framework empowers the government to designate groups that incite communal violence, deport associated individuals, and impose stricter penalties for hate crimes.
Notably, this represents the third high-profile visa cancellation involving Israeli figures under Australia’s strengthened hate speech laws. Previous cases included far-right MP Simcha Rothman and tech entrepreneur Hillel Fuld, both denied entry over concerns about spreading division and Islamophobic rhetoric.
The decision has drawn mixed reactions, with the conservative Australian Jewish Association issuing strong condemnation of Yahood’s visa cancellation, highlighting the complex intersection of free speech and social cohesion in contemporary immigration policy.