Australia Cancels Visa of Jewish Influencer Sammy Yahood Over 'Spreading Hatred'

Visa Cancellation Announced

The Australian government announced on January 26, 2026, the cancellation of the visa belonging to Sammy Yahood, a prominent British-Israeli social media influencer. The decision was confirmed by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, who stated that 'spreading hatred is not a good reason to come' to Australia. Yahood was reportedly notified of the cancellation just hours before his scheduled flight to Australia.

Influencer's Controversial Statements

The cancellation stems from a review of Sammy Yahood's social media activity, particularly posts made on X (formerly Twitter). In these posts, Yahood has described Islam as a 'murderous ideology' and a 'disgusting ideology.' He also asserted that Islam 'cannot be trusted to simply 'co-exist'' and, on November 6, called for a ban on Islam, stating, 'It's time to ban Islam. It's time to stop being tolerant of those that are not tolerant of us.' Yahood, 25, who grew up in the United Kingdom and recently relocated to Israel, is also a volunteer instructor in Krav Maga.

Government's Stance and Legislative Backing

Minister Tony Burke emphasized the government's position, stating, 'If someone wants to come to Australia they should apply for the right visa and come for the right reason.' The visa cancellation was enacted under expanded character grounds introduced by the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Act 2026. This legislation grants new powers to refuse or cancel visas for individuals deemed to be spreading hate or division within Australia. The tightening of hate crime laws in Australia follows a mass shooting incident on December 14 at Sydney's Bondi Beach during Jewish Hanukkah celebrations, which resulted in 15 fatalities.

Yahood's Planned Visit and Reaction

Sammy Yahood had planned a series of engagements in Australia, including 'self-defence workshops' and the launch of his 'peace through strength' campaign, which aimed to empower Jewish communities. He was also scheduled to speak at major synagogues in Sydney and Melbourne and participate in events organized by Jewish associations, including the Australian Jewish Association (AJA). In response to the visa cancellation, Yahood took to social media, accusing the Australian government of 'tyranny, censorship and control.' He stated, 'This is not a story about me whatsoever. This is a story about government overreaching,' and vowed to continue his advocacy. The right-leaning Australian Jewish Association condemned the government's decision. This incident follows a previous decision by Minister Burke to bar the entry of far-right Israeli politician Simcha Rothman.