Australia denies visa to two IOF soldiers over 'war crimes' questions

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
13 Dec 2024 13:17
4 Shares

The visa issues come amid growing protests in Sydney calling for stronger action on the ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza.

Listen

Palestinians mourn for relatives killed in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip at a hospital morgue in Deir al-Balah in October 2024. (AP)

Two Israeli occupation soldiers, Omer and Ella Berger, were reportedly denied visas to Australia, with authorities citing their service in the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) as grounds for additional scrutiny.

Eventually, they were prevented from entering the country.

Six members of the Berger family applied for visitor visas two months before their scheduled flight, with four approvals granted promptly. However, Omer, who serves in the academic reserve program, and Ella, a member of the IOF's Intelligence Corps, were required to submit detailed 13-page declarations typically reserved for foreign fighters and government officials.

KEEP PUSHING! - There are results showing up all the time!

Israelis Tried to Obtain a Visa to Australia – and Were Blocked: "Have You Participated in Genocide?"

Omer and Ella Berger planned to visit their great-grandmother but faced a denial of entry to the country. They were… pic.twitter.com/oG8PlY80jo
— Martin Gore 🇵🇸 (@Martin1948Nakba) December 12, 2024

These forms included questions about involvement in prisoner abuse, detention camps, and potential war crimes or genocide, reflecting growing concerns over "Israel's" ongoing genocide in Gaza.

The delay has been perceived by some pro-"Israel" advocates as part of Australia’s increasingly critical stance toward "Israel" amid the ongoing aggression on Gaza.

Not an isolated incident

This incident follows a similar case in which Australian officials denied a visa to former Israeli Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, citing concerns that her presence could offend certain communities. Shaked, forced to cancel her appearance at a Jewish conference in Australia, criticized the current government for what she described as "an extreme pro-Palestinian position."

“The current Australian government has taken an anti-Israeli and extreme pro-Palestinian position…,” she said.

Australia’s Department of Home Affairs clarified that no new visa policies had been implemented for Israelis in response to the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza. The department noted that 11,000 Israelis had been granted visas over the past year. A spokesperson added, “Following standard procedures, authorities may require applicants to complete supplementary documentation when they need additional information for specific cases.”

The visa issues come amid growing protests in Sydney calling for stronger action on the ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza. These weekly demonstrations have gained significant traction, particularly after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Every Sunday, people of all ages march through the streets of Sydney, urging Australians to consider the devastation unfolding abroad. The protests have garnered widespread support for the Palestinian cause, with increasing calls for the Australian government, a signatory to the Rome Statute, to take stronger action.