SYDNEY — Newly released statistics from the Australian government show that thousands of Palestinians have had their visa applications rejected since the start of the Israel-Hamas war last October.

Australia’s conservative opposition said Wednesday that it was “not prudent” for any Palestinians to be allowed into the country because of national security concerns.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the leader of the center-right opposition, Peter Dutton, clashed in Federal Parliament Wednesday over visas for Palestinians fleeing the conflict in the Middle East. 

Dutton had earlier told Australian television that Palestinians trying to leave Gaza should not be granted entry to Australia because of national security concerns.  He said he was not satisfied there was adequate screening of visa applicants to ensure they were not associated with terrorism.

Albanese stressed he had confidence in the country’s vetting and security processes.

Newly released government statistics show that since the attack by Hamas militants on Israel last Oct. 7, more than 7,100 visa applications from Palestinians in Gaza have been refused by the Canberra government.  

During the same period, officials approved another 2,922 applications, mostly visitor visas to holders of a Palestinian Authority travel document.

Mike Burgess, head of the Australian Security Intelligence Organization, the domestic spy agency, said in an interview with local media Sunday that financial or material support for Hamas should lead to an application being denied.

He added, however, that “rhetorical” support for Hamas was not grounds for the immediate disqualification of a visa application.

But Australia’s center-right opposition has insisted that rhetorical, as in written or vocal, support for the militant organization should also be grounds for denying an entry visa.

James Paterson, the shadow minister for Home Affairs, told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. that entry rules for people fleeing Gaza need to be strict.

“I think the government should send a very clear message that no one who supports Hamas is welcome in Australia,” Peterson said. “Think about all the challenges we have had with antisemitism, with social cohesion, we have just had the terrorism threat level increased – none of those problems become easier by bringing people to Australia who support terrorism.”

Community groups have reported an increase in antisemitic and Islamophobic abuse in Australia since the Israel-Hamas war broke out last October.

Earlier this month, Australia’s new Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the government was working on safeguards for Palestinians when their visitor visas expire. He confirmed they would not be sent back to Gaza with a war still raging.

Since the Oct. 7 attacks, Australia has granted just over 8,700 visas to Israelis. About 200 applications have been refused.

Intelligence officials have confirmed that security screenings were carried out on some but not all visa applicants, which were subject to referral from the Canberra government.
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