A far-right Israeli politician, who has described Gazan children as “enemies” and called for Israel’s total control of the West Bank, has been denied entry into Australia ahead of an upcoming “solidarity tour”.

Simcha Rothman, a member of the Knesset for the far-right party Religious Zionism, was scheduled to appear at two public events in Sydney and Melbourne in August and two private events billed as a “solidarity tour”.

The home affairs minister, Tony Burke, confirmed on Monday Rothman’s visa application had been rejected and he would not be able to apply for one for three years. Guardian Australia first put questions to his office on Friday morning.

“Our government takes a hard line on people who seek to come to our country and spread division,” Burke said in a statement.

“If you are coming to Australia to spread a message of hate and division, we don’t want you here.