On Wednesday, Australia rejected Israel’s claim that its pressure led Canberra to expel Iran’s ambassador. Australia blamed Iran for at least two antisemitic arson attacks in Sydney and Melbourne, the country’s largest cities, local media reports said.
“Complete nonsense,” Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke told ABC Radio when asked about Israel taking credit for Australia’s decision to expel Tehran’s ambassador, Ahmad Sadeghi. “As soon as we received the report, we started planning our response.”
Australia Dismisses Israeli Claims
An Israeli government spokesperson, David Mencer, said on Tuesday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s “strong intervention” and his criticism of Australia’s recognition of a Palestinian state might have influenced Australia’s actions, reports said.
Netanyahu has publicly criticized Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, calling him a “weak politician” who “betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia’s Jews” because of the Palestinian state recognition at the United Nations in September.
Since the Israel-Gaza war started in October 2023, Australian homes, schools, synagogues, and cars have been attacked in antisemitic incidents, and Islamophobic incidents have also risen.
Canberra Expelled Iranian Diplomat Due to Tehran’s Involvement in Attacks on Australian Soil
On Tuesday, Australia said Iran tried to hide its involvement in attacks on a kosher restaurant in Sydney and the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne. Expelling the Iranian ambassador within seven days was Australia’s first such move since World War II, said reports.
Burke added that there is no reason to think the attackers knew they were being directed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. “But that doesn’t change how serious the Australian government views Iran’s role in planning attacks on our soil,” he said.
Iran has denied these claims, saying they are part of a campaign by Western countries against it.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong warned citizens not to travel to Iran and urged those already there to return home. She estimates about 4,000 Australians currently live in Iran, reports noted.
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