(The Age, 18/3/2024)
A Government doing something right to change their disgusting behavior in the first place – thank God – Mark
Several Palestinians fleeing the war in Gaza who were devastated after their visas were cancelled while en route to Australia have again been granted permission to travel to the country, a move that has thrilled advocates in Australia.
Rasha Abbas, executive director of the Palestine Australia Relief and Action group, said eight of the 11 Palestinians her organisation was assisting had been told their cancelled visas had been reinstated.
“We are delighted and happy that they are able to travel to Australia,” Abbas said.
“We are working through booking the flights for them and we will work with the government on the process for the remaining visa holders.
“We are relieved the government has reinstated some of the visas – not all of them but the majority have been reinstated.”
Of the three people who had not had visas reinstated, Abbas said: “Hopefully we will have the same outcome for all of them.”
A government source, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that several visa cancellations had been reversed to allow Palestinians to travel onwards to Australia after checks were completed.
Visas were cancelled in cases where individuals had left Gaza without explanation or where there had been a significant change in their circumstances, the source said.
Among Gazans who have had their visas reinstated is Cassandra, a mother from Khan Younis in southern Gaza whose case was highlighted by The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age last week.
Cassandra, who used a pseudonym to protect her identity, said that she and her children were allowed to board a flight from Cairo, with a stopover at another Middle Eastern airport, last week after being assured they were able to travel onwards to Australia.
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