Jewish family’s celebration blocked while Home Affairs questions two members over Israeli army service

A Jewish-Australian family’s plans to celebrate the centenary of their matriarch, 99-year-old Holocaust survivor Jolan Berger, have been upended due to delays in visa approvals for two family members with Israeli military backgrounds.

The Berger family, based in Sydney, had intended to honor Jolan, who survived the Auschwitz concentration camp, with a gathering this week. However, her great-grandchildren, Omer Berger, 24, and Ella Berger, 22, remain stranded in Thailand, awaiting visas. The delay stems from requiring them to submit detailed documentation about their military service, which is mandatory for all Israeli citizens.

Aaron Berger, a family spokesperson, linked the situation to the Australian government’s increasingly critical stance towards Israel amid its ongoing conflict with Hamas and Hezbollah. “Why are we vetting allies and treating them as though they’re war criminals?” he asked. “This is tied to the government’s position on Israel.”

Six members of the Berger family applied for Australian visas two months ago, and four were approved promptly. However, Omer and Ella were required to complete a 13-page form, typically used for screening individuals involved in foreign conflicts or government roles. The form included questions about participation in war crimes, abuse of prisoners, or roles in detention centers.

Ella, on leave from her military intelligence post in Israel, returned home after waiting a week for a decision. Omer, a member of the Israeli defense reserves, remains in Thailand, hoping for a resolution. The delay has left the family heartbroken, with Aaron Berger emphasizing that this may be the last opportunity for Jolan to see her great-grandchildren. “We just want clarity—yes or no,” he said.