Australia is barring Religious Zionism MK Simcha Rothman from visiting the country for a series of appearances, the Guardian reports, citing a statement from Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke.

Rothman, a far-right lawmaker, had been slated to make a series of appearances at Jewish schools and synagogues and meet with victims of a recent wave of antisemitic attacks, according to the Australian Jewish Association, which invited him and confirms the cancellation.

“Our government takes a hard line on people who seek to come to our country and spread division,” Burke is quoted saying in a statement. “If you are coming to Australia to spread a message of hate and division, we don’t want you here.”

According to AJA, the visa was canceled hours before Rothman was slated to fly to Australia. It says the trip was unconnected with events with the Middle East.

“This is a viciously antisemitic move from a government that is obsessed with targeting the Jewish community and Israel,” AJA head Robert Gregory says in a statement posted online by the group.

Gregory says Jews should think twice before visiting Australia, claiming that increasing numbers of Australian Jews are looking into emigrating.

“Israel is fully justified in taking strong measures in response to this and we have briefed contacts in the Trump Administration who are also concerned about events in Australia,” he adds.

In June, Australia barred pro-Israel activist and influencer Hillel Fuld because his presence would constitute a risk to “the health, safety or good order,”  Burke’s office said at the time. Last year, it blocked former justice minister Ayelet Shaked for similar reasons.

Canberra has taken an increasingly critical stance toward Israel in recent weeks, including announcing plans to recognize a Palestinian state next month.

There is no immediate comment from Rothman, who heads the Knesset’s Constitution, Law and Justice Committee and is seen as one of the main architects of the controversial overhaul of the judicial system being pushed by the government.

The Foreign Ministry has also not yet commented.

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