Kanye West barred from Australia over anti-Semitic song
The American rapper, who has now legally changed his name to Ye and is married to Australian designer Bianca Censori, had a tourist visa used to visit family here, but officials cancelled it after he released a song called Heil Hitler in May.
'He's been coming to Australia for a long time… and he's made a lot of offensive comments,' Mr Burke said.
'But my officials looked at it again once he released the Heil Hitler song, and he no longer has a valid visa in Australia.'
West's song, initially released on social media platform X, was banned from YouTube and Spotify.
Mr Burke said Australia's immigration law 'draws a stricter line' depending on the purpose of the visa.
He said the West case was the only occasion he could think of where someone's visa had been cancelled over anti-Semitism when the visa class wasn't for public advocacy, such as a lecture tour.
'We have a problem in Australia with anti-Semitism. We have a problem in Australia with Islamophobia. We have a problem with a range of forms of bigotry,' he said.
'I think that what's not sustainable is to import hatred. Some people say, 'Oh, don't you believe in freedom of speech' and for Australian citizens, yeah, you've got full freedom of speech – but we have enough problems in this country already without deliberately importing bigotry.'
The Government contemplated barring the rapper in 2023 over anti-Semitic comments.
Cabinet minister Jason Clare said at the time that people who had made similar comments had had visas denied and he expected West would face the same scrutiny.
Then-opposition leader Peter Dutton said at the time his 'inclination would be not to allow him in'.
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The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Netanyahu condemns 'reprehensible anti-Semitic attacks'
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned "reprehensible anti-Semitic attacks" on a Melbourne synagogue and restaurant. A western Sydney man has been arrested over the synagogue blaze, which senior politicians described as an "attack on Australia". The 34-year-old is accused of dousing the building's front door with flammable liquid and setting it alight, forcing 20 congregants to flee the East Melbourne synagogue on Friday night. He was arrested in Melbourne's CBD on Saturday and charged with reckless conduct endangering life, criminal damage by fire and possession of a controlled weapon. The man is due to appear in court on Sunday. Detectives will investigate the accused man's intent and ideology to determine if the incident was an act of terrorism. Police are also investigating another alleged act of anti-Semitism the same night, when protesters who had splintered from a larger demonstration allegedly smashed a window, flipped tables, threw chairs, and chanted "death to the IDF" outside Israeli restaurant Miznon. Hours later, offenders spray-painted three cars and a wall outside a Greensborough business in Melbourne's northeast before setting fire to the vehicles, destroying one and damaging two. The Israeli prime minister urged the federal government to "take all action" against those responsible. None of the incidents have been declared terrorism-related but the force is increasing patrols around the synagogue and in the city's southeast. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, former attorney-general Mark Dreyfus and Melbourne MP Sarah Witty met with the synagogue's Rabbi Dovid Gutnick, president Danny Segal and his wife on Sunday morning. Mr Burke and Mr Dreyfus, who is Jewish, described the firebombing as an "attack on Australia" and the entire community. "Let's make sure that this never happens again," Mr Dreyfus told reporters. Mr Burke stopped short of declaring the alleged arson attack an act of terrorism, saying it would be up to Victoria Police to decide. He refused to be drawn on Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's demand the Australian government "take all action to deal with the rioters to the fullest extent of the law"." Mr Burke said he spoke with the Israeli Ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon on Saturday night as news filtered through of plans for him to fly from Sydney for the Sunday's meeting. The ambassador took it as a signal of the government taking Friday's attacks very seriously, Mr Burke said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the synagogue arson as a "cowardly" act of violence and anti-Semitism and said the attacks on the restaurant and business were unacceptable. The federal government has offered federal police and security and intelligence agency support to investigators. "Those responsible for these shocking acts must face the full force of the law," he said. The attacks come seven months after a blaze destroyed two buildings at the Adass Israel Synagogue in the city's south and forced worshippers inside to flee. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned "reprehensible anti-Semitic attacks" on a Melbourne synagogue and restaurant. A western Sydney man has been arrested over the synagogue blaze, which senior politicians described as an "attack on Australia". The 34-year-old is accused of dousing the building's front door with flammable liquid and setting it alight, forcing 20 congregants to flee the East Melbourne synagogue on Friday night. He was arrested in Melbourne's CBD on Saturday and charged with reckless conduct endangering life, criminal damage by fire and possession of a controlled weapon. The man is due to appear in court on Sunday. Detectives will investigate the accused man's intent and ideology to determine if the incident was an act of terrorism. Police are also investigating another alleged act of anti-Semitism the same night, when protesters who had splintered from a larger demonstration allegedly smashed a window, flipped tables, threw chairs, and chanted "death to the IDF" outside Israeli restaurant Miznon. Hours later, offenders spray-painted three cars and a wall outside a Greensborough business in Melbourne's northeast before setting fire to the vehicles, destroying one and damaging two. The Israeli prime minister urged the federal government to "take all action" against those responsible. None of the incidents have been declared terrorism-related but the force is increasing patrols around the synagogue and in the city's southeast. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, former attorney-general Mark Dreyfus and Melbourne MP Sarah Witty met with the synagogue's Rabbi Dovid Gutnick, president Danny Segal and his wife on Sunday morning. Mr Burke and Mr Dreyfus, who is Jewish, described the firebombing as an "attack on Australia" and the entire community. "Let's make sure that this never happens again," Mr Dreyfus told reporters. Mr Burke stopped short of declaring the alleged arson attack an act of terrorism, saying it would be up to Victoria Police to decide. He refused to be drawn on Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's demand the Australian government "take all action to deal with the rioters to the fullest extent of the law"." Mr Burke said he spoke with the Israeli Ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon on Saturday night as news filtered through of plans for him to fly from Sydney for the Sunday's meeting. The ambassador took it as a signal of the government taking Friday's attacks very seriously, Mr Burke said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the synagogue arson as a "cowardly" act of violence and anti-Semitism and said the attacks on the restaurant and business were unacceptable. The federal government has offered federal police and security and intelligence agency support to investigators. "Those responsible for these shocking acts must face the full force of the law," he said. The attacks come seven months after a blaze destroyed two buildings at the Adass Israel Synagogue in the city's south and forced worshippers inside to flee. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned "reprehensible anti-Semitic attacks" on a Melbourne synagogue and restaurant. A western Sydney man has been arrested over the synagogue blaze, which senior politicians described as an "attack on Australia". The 34-year-old is accused of dousing the building's front door with flammable liquid and setting it alight, forcing 20 congregants to flee the East Melbourne synagogue on Friday night. He was arrested in Melbourne's CBD on Saturday and charged with reckless conduct endangering life, criminal damage by fire and possession of a controlled weapon. The man is due to appear in court on Sunday. Detectives will investigate the accused man's intent and ideology to determine if the incident was an act of terrorism. Police are also investigating another alleged act of anti-Semitism the same night, when protesters who had splintered from a larger demonstration allegedly smashed a window, flipped tables, threw chairs, and chanted "death to the IDF" outside Israeli restaurant Miznon. Hours later, offenders spray-painted three cars and a wall outside a Greensborough business in Melbourne's northeast before setting fire to the vehicles, destroying one and damaging two. The Israeli prime minister urged the federal government to "take all action" against those responsible. None of the incidents have been declared terrorism-related but the force is increasing patrols around the synagogue and in the city's southeast. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, former attorney-general Mark Dreyfus and Melbourne MP Sarah Witty met with the synagogue's Rabbi Dovid Gutnick, president Danny Segal and his wife on Sunday morning. Mr Burke and Mr Dreyfus, who is Jewish, described the firebombing as an "attack on Australia" and the entire community. "Let's make sure that this never happens again," Mr Dreyfus told reporters. Mr Burke stopped short of declaring the alleged arson attack an act of terrorism, saying it would be up to Victoria Police to decide. He refused to be drawn on Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's demand the Australian government "take all action to deal with the rioters to the fullest extent of the law"." Mr Burke said he spoke with the Israeli Ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon on Saturday night as news filtered through of plans for him to fly from Sydney for the Sunday's meeting. The ambassador took it as a signal of the government taking Friday's attacks very seriously, Mr Burke said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the synagogue arson as a "cowardly" act of violence and anti-Semitism and said the attacks on the restaurant and business were unacceptable. The federal government has offered federal police and security and intelligence agency support to investigators. "Those responsible for these shocking acts must face the full force of the law," he said. The attacks come seven months after a blaze destroyed two buildings at the Adass Israel Synagogue in the city's south and forced worshippers inside to flee. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned "reprehensible anti-Semitic attacks" on a Melbourne synagogue and restaurant. A western Sydney man has been arrested over the synagogue blaze, which senior politicians described as an "attack on Australia". The 34-year-old is accused of dousing the building's front door with flammable liquid and setting it alight, forcing 20 congregants to flee the East Melbourne synagogue on Friday night. He was arrested in Melbourne's CBD on Saturday and charged with reckless conduct endangering life, criminal damage by fire and possession of a controlled weapon. The man is due to appear in court on Sunday. Detectives will investigate the accused man's intent and ideology to determine if the incident was an act of terrorism. Police are also investigating another alleged act of anti-Semitism the same night, when protesters who had splintered from a larger demonstration allegedly smashed a window, flipped tables, threw chairs, and chanted "death to the IDF" outside Israeli restaurant Miznon. Hours later, offenders spray-painted three cars and a wall outside a Greensborough business in Melbourne's northeast before setting fire to the vehicles, destroying one and damaging two. The Israeli prime minister urged the federal government to "take all action" against those responsible. None of the incidents have been declared terrorism-related but the force is increasing patrols around the synagogue and in the city's southeast. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, former attorney-general Mark Dreyfus and Melbourne MP Sarah Witty met with the synagogue's Rabbi Dovid Gutnick, president Danny Segal and his wife on Sunday morning. Mr Burke and Mr Dreyfus, who is Jewish, described the firebombing as an "attack on Australia" and the entire community. "Let's make sure that this never happens again," Mr Dreyfus told reporters. Mr Burke stopped short of declaring the alleged arson attack an act of terrorism, saying it would be up to Victoria Police to decide. He refused to be drawn on Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's demand the Australian government "take all action to deal with the rioters to the fullest extent of the law"." Mr Burke said he spoke with the Israeli Ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon on Saturday night as news filtered through of plans for him to fly from Sydney for the Sunday's meeting. The ambassador took it as a signal of the government taking Friday's attacks very seriously, Mr Burke said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the synagogue arson as a "cowardly" act of violence and anti-Semitism and said the attacks on the restaurant and business were unacceptable. The federal government has offered federal police and security and intelligence agency support to investigators. "Those responsible for these shocking acts must face the full force of the law," he said. The attacks come seven months after a blaze destroyed two buildings at the Adass Israel Synagogue in the city's south and forced worshippers inside to flee.
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Synagogue, restaurant and business attacks condemned
MELBOURNE'S ALLEGED ANTI-SEMITIC ATTACKS: East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation: * The synagogue was firebombed on Friday night with about 20 worshippers inside for a Shabbat dinner * A man allegedly poured a flammable liquid on the front door and set it alight * The 34-year-old from Toongabbie in Sydney's west was arrested on Saturday night in central Melbourne, with detectives investigating his intent and ideology * He is expected to face court on Sunday charged with reckless conduct endanger life, criminal damage by fire, and possess a controlled weapon CBD Israeli restaurant: * A group who splintered away from an earlier protest allegedly smashed a window, flipped tables and threw chairs outside Israeli restaurant Miznon in the city's CBD on Friday night * Organisers of the protest said the restaurant was targeted because it was part-owned by Israeli businessman Shahar Segal, a spokesman for a food aid group backed by Israel and the US * A 28-year-old from Footscray was arrested for hindering police and released on summons Greensborough business: * Three cars and a wall were spray-painted outside a Greensborough business in the city's northeast in the early hours of Saturday morning * One vehicle was destroyed and two damaged after being set alight * There were "inferences of anti-Semitism" and the business has been subjected to pro-Palestinian activity in the past year, police said * Police have not established links between the three incidents HOW HAVE LEADERS REACTED? * "The reprehensible anti-Semitic attacks ... are severe hate crimes that must be uprooted" - Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu * "Anti-Semitism has no place in Australia" - Prime Minister Anthony Albanese * "This was an attack on Australia" - Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke * "This is disgraceful behaviour by a pack of cowards" - Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan * "Nothing that we are doing here in Melbourne is going to have any impact on the terrible events in Israel and Gaza" - Melbourne Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece * "Melbourne, for one night, stopped being a safe place for Jews" - Anti-Defamation Commission chair Dvir Abramovich MELBOURNE'S ALLEGED ANTI-SEMITIC ATTACKS: East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation: * The synagogue was firebombed on Friday night with about 20 worshippers inside for a Shabbat dinner * A man allegedly poured a flammable liquid on the front door and set it alight * The 34-year-old from Toongabbie in Sydney's west was arrested on Saturday night in central Melbourne, with detectives investigating his intent and ideology * He is expected to face court on Sunday charged with reckless conduct endanger life, criminal damage by fire, and possess a controlled weapon CBD Israeli restaurant: * A group who splintered away from an earlier protest allegedly smashed a window, flipped tables and threw chairs outside Israeli restaurant Miznon in the city's CBD on Friday night * Organisers of the protest said the restaurant was targeted because it was part-owned by Israeli businessman Shahar Segal, a spokesman for a food aid group backed by Israel and the US * A 28-year-old from Footscray was arrested for hindering police and released on summons Greensborough business: * Three cars and a wall were spray-painted outside a Greensborough business in the city's northeast in the early hours of Saturday morning * One vehicle was destroyed and two damaged after being set alight * There were "inferences of anti-Semitism" and the business has been subjected to pro-Palestinian activity in the past year, police said * Police have not established links between the three incidents HOW HAVE LEADERS REACTED? * "The reprehensible anti-Semitic attacks ... are severe hate crimes that must be uprooted" - Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu * "Anti-Semitism has no place in Australia" - Prime Minister Anthony Albanese * "This was an attack on Australia" - Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke * "This is disgraceful behaviour by a pack of cowards" - Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan * "Nothing that we are doing here in Melbourne is going to have any impact on the terrible events in Israel and Gaza" - Melbourne Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece * "Melbourne, for one night, stopped being a safe place for Jews" - Anti-Defamation Commission chair Dvir Abramovich MELBOURNE'S ALLEGED ANTI-SEMITIC ATTACKS: East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation: * The synagogue was firebombed on Friday night with about 20 worshippers inside for a Shabbat dinner * A man allegedly poured a flammable liquid on the front door and set it alight * The 34-year-old from Toongabbie in Sydney's west was arrested on Saturday night in central Melbourne, with detectives investigating his intent and ideology * He is expected to face court on Sunday charged with reckless conduct endanger life, criminal damage by fire, and possess a controlled weapon CBD Israeli restaurant: * A group who splintered away from an earlier protest allegedly smashed a window, flipped tables and threw chairs outside Israeli restaurant Miznon in the city's CBD on Friday night * Organisers of the protest said the restaurant was targeted because it was part-owned by Israeli businessman Shahar Segal, a spokesman for a food aid group backed by Israel and the US * A 28-year-old from Footscray was arrested for hindering police and released on summons Greensborough business: * Three cars and a wall were spray-painted outside a Greensborough business in the city's northeast in the early hours of Saturday morning * One vehicle was destroyed and two damaged after being set alight * There were "inferences of anti-Semitism" and the business has been subjected to pro-Palestinian activity in the past year, police said * Police have not established links between the three incidents HOW HAVE LEADERS REACTED? * "The reprehensible anti-Semitic attacks ... are severe hate crimes that must be uprooted" - Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu * "Anti-Semitism has no place in Australia" - Prime Minister Anthony Albanese * "This was an attack on Australia" - Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke * "This is disgraceful behaviour by a pack of cowards" - Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan * "Nothing that we are doing here in Melbourne is going to have any impact on the terrible events in Israel and Gaza" - Melbourne Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece * "Melbourne, for one night, stopped being a safe place for Jews" - Anti-Defamation Commission chair Dvir Abramovich MELBOURNE'S ALLEGED ANTI-SEMITIC ATTACKS: East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation: * The synagogue was firebombed on Friday night with about 20 worshippers inside for a Shabbat dinner * A man allegedly poured a flammable liquid on the front door and set it alight * The 34-year-old from Toongabbie in Sydney's west was arrested on Saturday night in central Melbourne, with detectives investigating his intent and ideology * He is expected to face court on Sunday charged with reckless conduct endanger life, criminal damage by fire, and possess a controlled weapon CBD Israeli restaurant: * A group who splintered away from an earlier protest allegedly smashed a window, flipped tables and threw chairs outside Israeli restaurant Miznon in the city's CBD on Friday night * Organisers of the protest said the restaurant was targeted because it was part-owned by Israeli businessman Shahar Segal, a spokesman for a food aid group backed by Israel and the US * A 28-year-old from Footscray was arrested for hindering police and released on summons Greensborough business: * Three cars and a wall were spray-painted outside a Greensborough business in the city's northeast in the early hours of Saturday morning * One vehicle was destroyed and two damaged after being set alight * There were "inferences of anti-Semitism" and the business has been subjected to pro-Palestinian activity in the past year, police said * Police have not established links between the three incidents HOW HAVE LEADERS REACTED? * "The reprehensible anti-Semitic attacks ... are severe hate crimes that must be uprooted" - Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu * "Anti-Semitism has no place in Australia" - Prime Minister Anthony Albanese * "This was an attack on Australia" - Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke * "This is disgraceful behaviour by a pack of cowards" - Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan * "Nothing that we are doing here in Melbourne is going to have any impact on the terrible events in Israel and Gaza" - Melbourne Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece * "Melbourne, for one night, stopped being a safe place for Jews" - Anti-Defamation Commission chair Dvir Abramovich
Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
Synagogue, restaurant and business attacks condemned
MELBOURNE'S ALLEGED ANTI-SEMITIC ATTACKS: East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation: * The synagogue was firebombed on Friday night with about 20 worshippers inside for a Shabbat dinner * A man allegedly poured a flammable liquid on the front door and set it alight * The 34-year-old from Toongabbie in Sydney's west was arrested on Saturday night in central Melbourne, with detectives investigating his intent and ideology * He is expected to face court on Sunday charged with reckless conduct endanger life, criminal damage by fire, and possess a controlled weapon CBD Israeli restaurant: * A group who splintered away from an earlier protest allegedly smashed a window, flipped tables and threw chairs outside Israeli restaurant Miznon in the city's CBD on Friday night * Organisers of the protest said the restaurant was targeted because it was part-owned by Israeli businessman Shahar Segal, a spokesman for a food aid group backed by Israel and the US * A 28-year-old from Footscray was arrested for hindering police and released on summons Greensborough business: * Three cars and a wall were spray-painted outside a Greensborough business in the city's northeast in the early hours of Saturday morning * One vehicle was destroyed and two damaged after being set alight * There were "inferences of anti-Semitism" and the business has been subjected to pro-Palestinian activity in the past year, police said * Police have not established links between the three incidents HOW HAVE LEADERS REACTED? * "The reprehensible anti-Semitic attacks ... are severe hate crimes that must be uprooted" - Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu * "Anti-Semitism has no place in Australia" - Prime Minister Anthony Albanese * "This was an attack on Australia" - Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke * "This is disgraceful behaviour by a pack of cowards" - Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan * "Nothing that we are doing here in Melbourne is going to have any impact on the terrible events in Israel and Gaza" - Melbourne Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece * "Melbourne, for one night, stopped being a safe place for Jews" - Anti-Defamation Commission chair Dvir Abramovich
