Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese accused Iran of organizing two antisemitic attacks in Australia and, in response, said the country was cutting off diplomatic relations with Tehran, reports the AP.
There has been a steep rise in antisemitic incidents in Sydney and Melbourne since the Israel-Hamas war began in 2023, with notable arson attacks at a kosher food company and at a synagogue last year. The Australian Security Intelligence Organization concluded in its investigation that the Iranian government hired criminals to carry out these attacks to hide their involvement.
Albanese told Iran's Ambassador to Australia that he will be expelled. The country also withdrew Australian diplomats posted in Iran to a third country. An alert to Australians in Iran noted the embassy's closure and urged them to "strongly consider leaving as soon as possible, if it is safe to do so,” and Australia updated its warning to travelers to its highest level: "Do not travel" to Iran.
Jan Markell is founder and director of Olive Tree Ministries.
"I'm pleasantly surprised. I think Australia has been quite outspoken with not being the world's best friend to Israel, supporting a Palestinian state, which of course would mean the destruction of Israel. So, it's a lot they don't get right; my response was that I'm truly shocked by it," Markell states.
Markell says let this be a wakeup call to other nations.
"Iran is not the free world's friend, period. America and Israel are trying to do the world a favor by taking out their nuclear capability, and they [Iran] are the chief supporter and sponsor of terrorism all around the world, and so every country needs this wakeup call,” Markell states.
