Several Palestinians who had their temporary Australian visas cancelled last week are still awaiting clarity from the federal government, though others have had their visas reinstated.
Last week, some Palestinians who had been able to flee Gaza had their Australian visas cancelled, leaving them stranded in other countries.
Many were told the government had determined they did not genuinely intend to stay in Australia on a temporary basis.
The ABC has been told additional security and other checks have since been conducted by the Home Affairs department, resulting in some visas being reinstated.
The department did not explain what those additional checks entailed.
The Palestine Australia Relief and Action (PARA) Foundation, which has supported the families of those with cancelled visas, said there were still questions for the government to answer.
“Crucially, throughout this process there have been no security issues or concerns raised with the individuals,” PARA said.
“It has been a matter of diligently navigating established processes to address the administrative challenges faced by Palestinians leaving Gaza and seeking refuge in Australia.”
The Australian government granted 2,273 temporary (subclass 600) visas for Palestinians with connections to Australia between October 7 and February 6 this year, according to figures from the Department of Home Affairs.
The department also granted 2,415 visitor visas to people declaring Israeli citizenship during that period.
That visa type means recipients cannot work or access education or health care in Australia.
Rasha Abbas, the co-founder of PARA, said in eight of the 12 cancellation cases it was managing visas had been reinstated.
The government would not provide the number of visas cancelled and reissued, but said it was a small group.
Leaving Gaza ‘without explanation’ a factor
On Friday, the government suggested the way in which some Palestinians fled Gaza was a factor in their visas’ cancellation.
“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,” a spokesperson for Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil said.
Many Palestinians who had their temporary Australian visas approved late last year have been unable to exit out of Rafah, with many forced to wait for the green light from border officials.
Some say the process of getting Palestinians out of Gaza has broken down since, and some have told the ABC that their family members in Gaza have had to resort to other means to be able to get out.
The spokesperson said the government recognised the distress many people in the community were feeling.
“We have made a strong commitment to assisting people who are trying to leave Gaza. But we make no apology for doing everything necessary to maintain our national security,” the spokesperson said.
Concerns for those still in limbo
The ABC has spoken to Hani, a 23-year-old Palestinian man who has been trapped at an Istanbul airport for several days following his visa being cancelled before his flight to Australia. It has not yet been reinstated.
Hani does not have access to his luggage and fresh clothes. PARA said it was increasingly concerned for his safety and wellbeing.
“It is frustrating that there is no other country in this world that can open its doors to me … I’m just wandering in every inch and corner waiting for my destiny,” Hani said.
“I’m just feeling so lost. I don’t know how to do anything in this airport.”
“I’m not used to being alone, separated from them (my family) … This is my first time flying internationally.”
Visa cancelled just before family boarded plane
Last week, the ABC spoke to the family of two sisters who were stuck in Cairo after having their temporary visas cancelled.
One of the women was told her visa was cancelled right before she went to board her flight to Australia with her children.
Those women and their children are now travelling to Australia to be reunited with family after having their visas reinstated.
A journalist from Gaza, his wife and their three children — who are all under the age of 10 — have also been able to continue their journey to Australia after having their visas cancelled suddenly upon their arrival in Istanbul last week.