The Australian Government has announced that the Iranian Government “directed” at least two attacks against Australia’s Jewish community.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said today that recent attacks against the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne and Lewis’ Continental Kitchen in Sydney were both ordered by the Iranian government.
In response, the Iranian ambassador to Australia has been expelled. Australian diplomats in Iran are “safe in a third country”.
Announcement
Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) head Mike Burgess announced the findings in a press conference today.
He said: “ASIO now assesses the Iranian Government directed at least two and likely more attacks on Jewish interests in Australia.”
He called these attacks “unacceptable,”saying Iran “put lives at risk... terrified the [Jewish] community, and they tore at our social fabric.” Burgess added that ASIO is still investigating “possible Iranian involvement in a number of other attacks“.
Attacks
In October 2024, a fire was lit at kosher restaurant Lewis’ Continental Kitchen in east Sydney. At the time, police said they did not believe it was a targeted attack. Earlier this month, a man pleaded not guilty to planning the attack.
In early December 2024, worshippers at the Adass Israel synagogue in south-east Melbourne saw two masked individuals pouring liquid on the floor, before a fire engulfed the building.
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Two people have been arrested by counter-terrorism authorities in relation to the synagogue attack.
Response
In response to ASIO’s announcement, Albanese said: “These extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression orchestrated by a foreign nation on Australian soil have crossed a line.”
Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong announced today that Iran’s ambassador to Australia will be expelled, and must leave the country in the next week.
The Prime Minister also said that Australian diplomats in Iran have left the country.
IRGC
Albanese also announced his Government will list the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation.
The IRGC is a military force parallel to the Iranian army.
Burgess told media on Tuesday the IRGC facilitated the attacks on the Jewish community in Australia.
