DFAT issues warning over “cartoon” violence
The Federal Government has warned Australians intending to travel to a number of Middle Eastern countries to exercise extreme caution as Muslim protests continue over cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed.
Travel advisories for Syria, Lebanon, Iran and Israel have been updated and reissued.
The protests have led to the temporary closure of Australia’s mission in the Palestinian West Bank town of Ramallah.
Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer has told parliament it shares the building with the Danish mission.
“Of course the Danish mission has been particularly subjected to protests and we are liaising to ensure the security of Danish consulates here in Australia,” he said.
“There isn’t a Danish embassy but there are consulates and so we are obviously focussed on the security of those missions.”
He said while the Government did not have a right to order newspaper editors not to publish the cartoons, he warned it could result in Australian embassies being attacked and the cancellation of trade contracts.
“I don’t think it’s the role of the Government to tell newspapers what to publish. I see the cartoons they produce of me and John [Howard] and they are usually incredibly offensive but that is the nature of society,” Mr Downer said.
Federal Opposition Leader Kim Beazley said publication of the cartoon in Australian papers was “unwise”.
“It’s an offensive cartoon,” he said.
Graham Muldoon
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Global tourism exceeds 1.5 billion travelers announces UN-Tourism
Qatar Airways offers reduced timetable to over 60 destinations
WTTC global tourism reached record economic impact of 11 trillion in 2025
Marginal increase for New York City tourism in 2025
Hands In, UATP join forces for airline multi-card payments