On Tuesday, Australia accused Iran of orchestrating two anti-Semitic arson attacks in Sydney and Melbourne, giving the Iranian ambassador a week to leave—this is the first expulsion of diplomats since World War II.
Since the onset of the Israeli-Gaza conflict in October 2023, anti-Semitic acts of vandalism and arson have targeted various places, including homes, schools, synagogues, and vehicles across Australia.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese indicated that Australia’s security intelligence has collected credible evidence linking Iran to at least two of these attacks.
“These were shocking and dangerous acts of aggression carried out by foreign elements on Australian soil,” Albanese said during a media briefing. “They aimed to disrupt social harmony in our community and foster discord.”
Albanese further noted that Iran sought to obscure its participation in last year’s incidents at a kosher restaurant in Sydney and the Adas Islamic Synagogue in Melbourne.
He mentioned that Australia’s security agencies may have uncovered plans for additional attacks directed by Iran.
In response, Australia has halted operations at the Iranian embassy, and all its diplomats are currently secure in a third country. Albanese stated that his government intends to classify Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong explained that Ambassador Ahmad Sadegi and three Iranian officials have seven days to exit the country, marking a significant diplomatic stance.
The Israeli Embassy in Australia expressed support for the actions taken against Iran, emphasizing that the Iranian regime poses a threat not only to Jews and Israel but also to the broader free world, including Australia.
Tensions between the two nations escalated following a 12-day air conflict in June, sparked by Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
In Australia, there are approximately 90,000 individuals of Iranian descent.
Two men face charges related to a December attack that set fire to a synagogue built by Holocaust survivors in the 1960s.
Recently, police in southeastern Victoria reported an investigation into electronic devices seized during a raid on one of the suspects’ homes, with an upcoming court appearance scheduled for Wednesday.
Authorities stated that the three suspects broke into the synagogue and ignited the fire, which also engulfed a kosher restaurant in Bondi, the Lewis Continental Kitchen. Reports suggest ties to an Australian motorcycle gang, and one man arrested in January denied the allegations in court and was released on bail.
