The SBS News broadcaster said official data shows that the Australian government is rejecting the majority of visa applications from Palestinians fleeing Gaza, Al Jazeera reports.

Since October last year, Australia has rejected 7,111 visa applications from Palestinians and granted 2,922. About 1,300 of those with approved visas have resettled in Australia, the broadcaster said.

In contrast, Australia granted 8,746 visas to Israeli citizens and rejected 235 applications over the same period.

The report came as the leader of the main opposition party, Peter Dutton, called for a ban on Palestinians from Gaza, saying they posed a national security risk.

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