A 61-year-old Palestinian woman who fled the war in Gaza has been detained in Sydney after Australian authorities cancelled her visa on national security grounds. Maha Almassri was taken into custody during a pre-dawn raid by around 15 Border Force officers at her son's home in Punchbowl, southwest Sydney.
She was held at Bankstown police station before being transferred to Villawood Immigration Detention Centre. Documents seen by The Guardian and SBS News show that Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs Julian Hill personally cancelled her visa following an assessment by the Security Intelligence Organisation, which deemed her a risk to security. The decision stated she failed the 'character test' and her removal was 'in the national interest'.
Ms Almassri arrived in Australia on a tourist visa in February 2024 after escaping the Israeli assault on Gaza through the Rafah border crossing. She was living with her son and had applied for a protection visa. Her family insists she poses no threat, citing her poor health and trauma. Her cousin Mohammed said: 'She's an old lady, what can she do? There is no country, no house, nothing for her to go back to in Gaza.'
Her son Soliman described the raid as 'traumatic', saying the family initially feared Israeli soldiers had arrived. The Department of Home Affairs declined to comment on individual cases, but a spokesperson said it would 'act decisively to protect the community'. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said: 'Our security checks never stop and this cancellation is proof the system is working.'
Human rights lawyer Alison Battisson criticised the lack of transparency and the early-morning raid, questioning how authorities could remove someone to Gaza given the humanitarian crisis. A protest led by the family was held outside Mr Burke's office, with calls for her release. Ms Almassri has more than 100 relatives in Australia.
