A self-described Muslim influencer who publicly commended Hamas for its terror attacks has accused the Australian government of oppression after officials tore up his visa at the airport gate.
Visa Revocation at the Airport
Canadian-Palestinian national Ousama Alshurafa was ready to board a flight to Australia to begin a speaking tour of capital cities when he was stopped by security in Canada. He was informed that Australian officials had cancelled his visa, which had been approved months earlier.
Addressing his more than three million social media followers in a video posted to Instagram, Alshurafa stated: "Recently the Australian Government revoked my visa without warning. Based on the information they provided, it's clear that this decision was made because I spoke publicly and unapologetically about Gaza."
He framed the decision as an attempt to silence him, adding, "the first instinct of the oppressor is always the same, silence the speaker." Alshraafa promised his Australian supporters that the event would move online, declaring their "pursuit for justice is unstoppable."
History of Supporting Hamas
The visa revocation follows reports of Alshraafa's explicit support for the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, during which the group murdered approximately 1,200 people and took hundreds hostage.
Alshraafa had shared a video on his X account depicting a Hamas terrorist boasting about "trampling on the heads of Israelis and shooting their skulls with bullets." In his post, he claimed this showed the Palestinian Resistance was "following and abiding by the rules of war set by sharia."
In another post, he referred to Hamas members as "freedom fighters," writing, "The audacity to occupy our land and then call us terrorists. We are freedom fighters. All of us."
Precedent for Blocking Controversial Figures
This is not the first time the Australian government, under Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, has blocked individuals with controversial views. Previous figures barred from entering the country include:
- US far-right commentator Candace Owens
- US rapper Kanye West
- Israeli far-right politician Simcha Rothman
Alshraafa's case highlights the government's continued practice of assessing the suitability of visitors based on their public statements and affiliations.
