Australia furious after Israel claims credit for Iran envoy expulsion
A minister rejected suggestions by Israel that Netanyahu’s ‘timely intervention’ prompted Canberra to take action against Tehran
“Complete nonsense,” Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke told ABC Radio when asked about Israel claiming credit for Australia’s decision to order Tehran’s ambassador Ahmad Sadeghi to leave the country.
“There was not a minute between us receiving this assessment and us starting to work through what we would do as a response.”
“The relationship between this country and Australia was damaged, and so it’s welcome that after Prime Minister Netanyahu’s timely intervention that these actions have been taken by Australia’s government,” Mencer told reporters.
Netanyahu has personally attacked his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese, describing him as “a weak politician who betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia’s Jews” over his decision to recognise Palestinian statehood at the United Nations General Assembly in September.
Since the Israel-Gaza war began in October 2023, Australian homes, schools, synagogues and vehicles have been targeted in antisemitic vandalism and arson, while Islamophobia incidents have also surged.