Israel’s ambassador, Jewish groups warn of Iran’s danger to ‘entire free world’

Israel’s ambassador in Canberra says the Iranian regime “endangers the entire free world” following revelations Tehran orchestrated a spate of anti-Semitic attacks in Australia.

Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw, Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Director-General of Security Mike Burgess, Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke and Anthony Albanese at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NewsWire

Israel’s ambassador in Canberra, Amir Maimon, says the Iranian ­regime “endangers the entire free world” following revelations that Tehran orchestrated a spate of anti-Semitic attacks, as Jewish leaders declared that “Israel’s enemies are Australia’s enemies”.

After Anthony Albanese on Tuesday expelled the Iranian ambassador over the “callous and calculated” act of foreign interference and listed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terror group, Mr Maimon branded the decision a “strong and important move”.

Jewish groups joined Mr Maimon in praising the steps against Iran after years of calling for tougher action on the regime, following revelations that Tehran had orchestrated attacks on the Adass synagogue in Melbourne and Sydney Kosher Deli, Lewis’ Continental Kitchen.

“Iran’s regime is not only a threat to Jews or Israel, it endangers the entire free world, including Australia,” Mr Maimon said.

Co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, Alex Ryvchin, addresses the media in Sydney on Tuesday Picture: Richard Dobson

Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said by using proxies and criminal operators to target Australians Jews and undermine social cohesion since the October 7 attack by Hamas, Iran’s actions met “any definition of terrorism”.

“Israel’s enemies are Australia’s enemies, that much is clear,” Mr Ryvchin said.

“The same regime that helped plan October 7, that directed its proxy, Hezbollah, to open a second front that directly attacked Israel through ballistic weapons and threatened its nuclear annihilation, has now carried out attacks on Australian soil.

“The Iranian regime has demonstrated that the battle against anti-Semitism is the battle for ­civilisation.”

Israel’s Ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon Picture: NewsWire

Special envoy to combat anti-Semitism Jillian Segal said the expulsion of Iran’s ambassador was a “strong and necessary response” to the regime’s orchestrated campaign of anti-Semitic attacks.

“It sends a clear message that hatred and intimidation directed at Australians will never be tolerated,” she said. “This action also highlights why a comprehensive and sustained strategy against anti-­Semitism is essential, addressing not only foreign interference but also the domestic drivers of hate in our schools, campuses, workplaces and online.”

Adass Israel Synagogue board member Benjamin Klein said the community remained “distressed” and “traumatised” after the firebombing, but the work of in­telligence agencies in investi­gating the attack “definitely helps … It’s distressing news to believe there’s foreign intervention in beautiful Melbourne, Australia … very scary. Expelling an ambassador is quite a big thing. To show such a strong stance is incredible.”

Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism, Jillian Segal Picture: NewsWire

Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council director Colin Rubenstein said he welcomed Labor’s move to list the IRGC as a terror group, adding that he hoped the government would take further action against Iran.

“It met Australia’s legal definition of a terrorist organisation long before it began attacking Australian Jewish targets in 2024 and it is greatly in Australia’s national interest to do everything in our power to limit the power of this malign actor,” he said.

“We hope the government will follow up the strong measures it announced today by exploring additional measures it can take to retaliate for Iranian aggression, and further limit the threat the regime in Tehran poses to Australians, the Australian Jewish community, and our social cohesion.”

NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip declared those who downplayed or dismissed concerns about a wave of anti-Semitic attacks as a “criminal con-job or hoax” owed the Jewish community an apology.

“Those who sought to downplay the threat against the Jewish community or dismiss the campaign of terror targeting our community as a criminal con job or hoax owe the Jewish community an apology,” he said.

Zionist Federation of Australia president Jeremy Leibler said the government’s action sent a “powerful and principled message that terrorism, foreign interference, and hate have no place in Australia”.