‘Not over yet’: Israel mobilises for growing conflict after Iran attack

Israel is mobilising for a growing conflict in the Middle East after Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles in a direct strike on Israeli territory, fuelling talk of a counter-attack and triggering an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council.

The attack has raised the prospect of a military escalation as the Israeli war cabinet debates its next move and US President Joe Biden pledges “ironclad” support for Israel and holds talks with G7 leaders to ensure a united diplomatic response.

A surfer waits for a wave while an Israeli naval ship patrols the Mediterranean sea off the coast of Hadera, Israel, on Sunday.Credit: AP

But the Australian response to the attack revealed the deepening political divide over the Middle East. Labor condemned Iran, the Coalition demanded stronger support for Israel and the Greens took aim at military suppliers who help the Israel Defence Forces.

Peak members of the Australian Jewish community said the attack was proof that Iran was trying to “set the region on fire” by spreading terror into other countries, while the Australian National Imams Council called on the government to avoid taking positions in the conflict.

The Israeli military shot down most of the drones and missiles during hours of aerial bombardment on Sunday morning (AEST), helped by the US as well as the UK, France and Jordan.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepared the country for a response to the drone and missile strike, the first time Iran has launched a direct assault on Israeli territory after decades of conflict.

“Whoever harms us, we will harm them,” Netanyahu said.

“We will defend ourselves against any threat and will do so level-headedly and with determination.”

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said the country had successfully thwarted the most significant strikes but had to be ready for further attacks.

“The campaign is not over yet,” he said. “We must be prepared for every scenario.”

Iran said it would retaliate against any Israeli attacks and warned the US that its bases would also be targeted if it offered Israel any military help.

“Our response will be much larger than tonight’s military action if Israel retaliates against Iran,” armed forces chief of staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri told state television.

The IDF said the attack comprised about 170 drones, 30 cruise missiles and 120 ballistic missiles. Most were halted and the damage appeared to be limited to one Israeli military base. Iran launched the attack after blaming Israel for a strike on April 1 that killed three senior Iranian commanders in the Syrian capital, Damascus.

Biden pledged “ironclad” support for the security of Israel after he spoke by phone with Netanyahu, while he also noted the possibility of other attacks in coming days.

Iranian demonstrators protest during an anti-Israeli rally in front of the British embassy in Tehran.Credit: AP

“While we have not seen attacks on our forces or facilities today, we will remain vigilant to all threats and will not hesitate to take all necessary action to protect our people,” he said.

The United Nations Security Council was due to meet on Sunday (New York time) after Israel requested the session. Biden sought to hold a separate meeting the same day with fellow G7 leaders from the UK, Japan, Italy, Germany, France and Canada.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attack and emphasised the federal government’s sanctions against 85 people and 97 entities connected with the Iranian regime.

“Anyone who cares for the protection of innocent life must stand against these attacks,” he said in a joint statement with acting Foreign Minister Katy Gallagher.

US President Joe Biden and members of his national security team receive an update on the attack.Credit: The White House

“This escalation is a grave threat to the security of Israel and the entire region. It risks greater instability and devastation across the Middle East. Australia continues to support regional security, including that of Israel.”

Opposition foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham backed Israel with a forceful statement on Sunday and rebuked Labor for emphasising security in the region rather than the country under attack.

“Israel has been subjected to deliberate military attack from Iran, just as Israelis were subjected to deliberate mass murder from Iranian-sponsored Hamas,” he said.

“There is no room for ambiguity in Australia’s response. While the US pledged its ‘ironclad commitment’ to Israel, the Albanese government could only muster support for ‘regional security, including that of Israel’.

“It is beyond time for the Albanese government to act on our call for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to be listed by Australia as a terrorist organisation.”

That drew a reaction from Labor MP Josh Burns, who is Jewish and backed Albanese.

“The prime minister made a strong statement. We’re constantly seeking advice on the next steps we can take,” he said.

Burns condemned Iran for the attack and for funding terror groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis.

The Greens, who have been sharply critical of Israel, are supporting a protest on Monday against a Queensland company, Ferra Engineering. They blame Ferra for supplying parts for the F35 fighter, which they say is being used against Palestinian civilians.

Illustrating community divisions over the conflict, the Australian National Imams Council called on political parties to avoid taking sides between Israel and Iran.

“The escalating conflict is of concern. Israel’s seemingly uninhibited aggression and attack against civilian populations (in Gaza and elsewhere) and places has not helped,” it said.

“Countries like Australia have an important role to play in de-escalating the situation and encouraging the main parties to avoid further violence and threats of violence. They should avoid taking positions.”

With many in Australia are divided over the war in Gaza, peak members of the Australian Jewish community expressed their fear that support for Israel was slipping around the world.

“This attack was made possible by the weakening of international support for Israel in recent weeks. Evil regimes detect weakness and exploit it,” said Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief Alex Ryvchin.

Zionist Federation president Jeremy Leibler welcomed the international condemnation of the attack on Israel and blamed Iran for supporting terrorists.

“Iran wants to set the region on fire,” he said. “Iran is intent on destabilising the entire region, and this requires a regional and international response. In this light, we welcome Jordanian and Saudi co-operation with Israel in its efforts to defend itself.

“We can see by the regional co-operation with Israel that Middle Eastern countries know who their enemy is, and it is Iran.”

Liberal MP Julian Leeser, who is Jewish, said the attacks brought Iran’s “evil intent” into the open and Australia should respond by closing its embassy in Tehran.

“There is good and evil in the world, and the government should not act with indifference towards the only democratic nation in the Middle East,” he said.

“Iran deploys terror against its citizens at home, and it exports it abroad. Australia has nothing in common with Iran, we must cut ties with this despotic regime.”

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