Canberra: Australia has denied that Israeli pressure influenced its decision to expel Iran’s ambassador, after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese accused Tehran of directing two antisemitic attacks on Jewish community sites in Sydney and Melbourne.
Australia Pushes Back at Israel’s Claim
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke dismissed as “complete nonsense” suggestions that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s intervention prompted the move. His comments came after an Israeli government spokesperson, David Mencer, said Netanyahu’s criticism of Albanese spurred Australia to act.
Netanyahu had recently accused Albanese of being a “weak politician who betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia’s Jews” following Canberra’s announcement that it would formally recognise a Palestinian state in September.
Albanese’s Accusations Against Iran
On Tuesday, Albanese said Australia had reached a “deeply disturbing conclusion” based on credible intelligence that Iran’s government had orchestrated at least two attacks on Jewish community centres. He announced the expulsion of Ambassador Ahmad Sadeghi in response.
Iran rejected the allegations, calling them baseless and politically motivated. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei suggested Australia’s action was a way to “compensate” for its recent mild criticism of Israel. Tehran also warned of reciprocal measures.
Reactions in Australia
The Jewish Council of Australia said it was “shocked” to learn of Iran’s alleged involvement. It urged politicians and media outlets not to politicise the issue in ways that could further endanger Jewish communities.
Meanwhile, Israel’s embassy in Canberra circulated local newspaper headlines highlighting the alleged Iranian role, warning that threats from Tehran extend beyond Israel to the wider West.
The diplomatic standoff has further strained Australia-Iran relations and comes at a sensitive moment in Canberra’s ties with Israel amid shifting positions on the Palestinian issue.
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