CANBERRA, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Australia's foreign affairs minister said on Tuesday that Israel's decision to revoke the visas of Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority (PA) was "unjustified."

In a post on social media platform X on Monday night, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said that he has cancelled the visas of Australia's representatives to the PA and instructed the embassy in Canberra to carefully examine any official Australian visa application for entry into Israel.

Responding on Tuesday morning, Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said in a statement that it was an "unjustified reaction" following Australia's decision to recognize Palestinian statehood.

"At a time when dialogue and diplomacy are needed more than ever, the Netanyahu Government is isolating Israel and undermining international efforts towards peace and a two-state solution," Wong said.

Sa'ar said the decision to revoke the visas was made after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced earlier in August that Australia will formally recognize Palestine at the 80th session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in September.

He also cited the Australian government's decision on Monday to deny entry to far-right Israeli politician Simcha Rothman days before he was due to arrive for a speaking tour.

Tony Burke, the minister for home affairs, said on Monday that the Australian government takes a "hard line" on people seeking to enter the country to spread division.

"If you are coming to Australia to spread a message of hate and division, we don't want you here," he said.

Burke said that the decision bans Rothman from visiting Australia for three years. Enditem