Sign in Subscribe
Ambassadors

Iran Directed Attacks on Australia's Jewish Community, PM Albanese Announces

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Albanese government has determined that the Iranian government directed attacks against Australia's Jewish community, including the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne and Lewis's Continental Kitchen in Bondi in Sydney. The attacks were ordered by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) through a "layer cake of cut-outs" - paid intermediaries acting in Australia. The IRGC will be listed as a terrorist organisation, and Iran's ambassador to Australia, Ahmad Sadeghi, has been designated "persona non grata" by the Australian government.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Australian Security and Intelligence Organisation (Asio) has determined that the Iranian government directed attacks on Australia's Jewish community.
  • The attacks were ordered by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) through a "layer cake of cut-outs" - paid intermediaries acting in Australia.
  • The IRGC will be listed as a terrorist organisation in Australia.
  • Iran's ambassador to Australia, Ahmad Sadeghi, has been designated "persona non grata" by the Australian government.
  • The Australian government has expelled Iranian diplomats posted to Australia, with six diplomats moved to a third country before the announcement.
  • The attacks were aimed at "messing with social cohesion" and were designed to "undermine social cohesion and sow discord in our community".
  • Changes to the federal criminal code will be required to list the IRGC as a terror group, because the current legal regime only considers non-state groups.
  • The decision to expel the Iranian ambassador is the "most serious response" any Australian government has given, according to Prime Minister Albanese.
  • The opposition leader, Sussan Ley, said the Coalition was "disgusted to learn of the serious and chilling foreign interference which has been perpetrated by the Islamic Republic of Iran on Australian soil".
  • Israel's embassy in Canberra welcomed the decision, saying it was warranted and a "step we have long advocated for".

Statistics:

  • 2 attacks against Australia's Jewish community directed by the Iranian government.
  • 6 diplomats posted to Iran were moved to a third country before the announcement.
  • 7 days given to the 4 Iranian officials designated "persona non grata" to leave the country.
  • Iran's ambassador to Australia, Ahmad Sadeghi, has been designated "persona non grata" by the Australian government.
  • 2 men have been arrested in relation to the synagogue fire bombing.

Sources:

  • Tom McIlroy and Sarah Basford Canales (2023)
  • The Guardian Australia
  • Australian Federal Police commissioner, Reece Kershaw (January)
  • Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu
  • Penny Wong
  • Mike Burgess, Asio director-general
  • Sussan Ley, opposition leader

Read more