Australia’s peak Jewish representative body has urged the federal government to deny Egyptian-American comedian Bassem Youssef a visa ahead of his Australian tour.
The Executive Council of Australian Jewry has made representations to Home Affairs over Youssef’s inflammatory statements and conspiracy claims involving Israel and Jews.
Youssef, a former heart surgeon who became one of the Arab world’s best-known political satirists, is due to perform in Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney in August and September.
ECAJ co-chief executive Peter Wertheim said people who denigrated entire communities should not be permitted to enter Australia for public appearances.
“Nobody from overseas who has a record of making debased generalisations about entire national or religious communities should be granted a visa to Australia,” Wertheim said.
“That kind of rhetoric should not be allowed to poison our political discourse or be given the opportunity to create and promote entirely baseless feelings of grievance, fear, suspicion and hatred between different sections of Australian society.
“At a time of unprecedented strains on the peace and harmony of our country, which have been highlighted by the Royal Commission, the government needs to lead by example and apply its zero tolerance for racism policy against granting a visa to this individual.”
The ECAJ’s intervention follows scrutiny of Youssef’s appearances with American commentator Candace Owens and comments he has made about Israel, the September 11 attacks and the assassination of US conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
After Kirk’s killing, Youssef suggested Israel might have been responsible. Challenged by Piers Morgan, he described himself as a comedian rather than a journalist and a “clown on the internet”.
He has also described the September 11 attacks as a false-flag operation.
Youssef drew further criticism after appearing on Owens’ program, where the pair discussed Israel, antisemitism and conspiracy claims.
He had earlier mocked his nomination by the US group StopAntisemitism for its 2024 Antisemite of the Year title, urging followers to vote for him and joking that he would reject the result if Owens or businessman Dan Bilzerian won. Owens received the title.
Youssef and his supporters reject allegations of antisemitism, arguing his material is political satire aimed at Israel and its supporters rather than Jewish people.
He gained a wider international following after two interviews with Morgan following the Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel on 7 October 2023 and the war in Gaza.
Youssef rose to prominence in Egypt through Al Bernameg, a satirical television program inspired by The Daily Show. It was taken off air in 2014 amid political pressure, and he later moved to the United States.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has previously backed the refusal or cancellation of visas for overseas figures accused of spreading hatred or division.
The government refused Candace Owens a visa before a planned Australian speaking tour, with the High Court later upholding the decision. Authorities also cancelled the visa of US rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, after he released a song praising Adolf Hitler and Nazism.
There has been no public confirmation that a decision has been made on Youssef’s visa.
The Department of Home Affairs generally does not comment on individual cases.