An Australian election candidate who thought Islam is a country has stepped down.

Stephanie Banister was widely mocked for her car crash interview with Channel Seven, which has since gone viral and led to Sarah Palin comparisons.

While discussing her views on immigration, she also confused the Arabic term haram – meaning forbidden – with the Qur’an and claimed that Jews follow Jesus.

“I don’t oppose Islam as a country but I do feel that their laws should not be welcome here in Australia,” Banister said.

“Less than 2% of Australians follow haram. Jews aren’t under haram. They have their own religion which follows Jesus Christ.”

The gaffes led to her withdrawing her Queensland candidacy bid for the right-wing nationalist party One Nation, which gave her its “full support”.

“With the way Channel Seven edited my interview, I was left quite the fool,” Banister said in a statement.

“I’d like to apologise to One Nation, to my friends and family, for any embarrassment this has brought to them.”

The 27-year-old is due in court soon to face charges of being involved in an anti-Muslim vandalism campaign.

She is accused of putting stickers stating, ‘Beware! Halal food funds terrorism’ on Nestle products at her local Woolworths.

Read more: Digital Spy