Australia reveals concerns linked to cancellation of Gaza visas

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The Australian government has revealed a new concern related to its decision to cancel the visas of a number of Palestinians trying to flee the bombardment in Gaza and reach family in Australia.
Several Palestinians who were granted Australian visas were in transit to reunite with their families when .

SBS News understands there are concerns about how some visa holders have passed through the Rafah Crossing to Egypt and that has caused complications for their applications.

The visa cancellation notices said a delegate reviewed the cases and rejected the visas because of concerns they were not coming to Australia temporarily.

After being pressed to explain further the Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil issued a statement through a spokesperson raising broad national security concerns.

Today an updated statement has provided extra detail about the way the visas are being reassessed.

“If people make it out of Gaza without explanation, or their circumstances change in any meaningful way, we will take the time to understand those changes before proceeding,” the statement said.

Advocates for the affected visa holders say anyone who is granted permission to leave Gaza undergoes extensive security checks through the Israeli, Egyptian and Australian governments.

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