Police investigate ‘unknown substance’ sent to Israel embassy

ACT police are investigating an incident at the Israeli embassy on Tuesday after an ‘unknown substance’ was found at the premises in Canberra.

An unknown substance was found at the Israeli embassy in Canberra on Tuesday. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

ACT police are investigating an incident at the Israeli embassy on Tuesday after an “unknown substance” was found at the premises in Canberra.

Police and emergency services received a call on Tuesday morning from the embassy regarding the discovery of the substance, which was tested on arrival.

While the substance was found to be non-hazardous, an ACT police spokeswoman said “the matter is under current investigation by ACT Policing”.

The Middle East conflict has prompted a series of pro-Palestinian protests across Canberra, with instances of vandalism on local businesses and the Australian War Memorial earlier this year.

The Israeli embassy was contacted for comment.

Peak Jewish and Islamic groups have raised alarm in recent months with the explosion of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, with the Albanese government condemning all racism and discrimination.

Despite this, tension has been escalating between Labor and the Israeli embassy in recent weeks, following the government’s decision to deny a visa to former Israeli minister Ayelet Shaked.

Israeli ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon reposted a statement from Israel's ministry of foreign affairs that slammed the move as “deeply offensive and troubling”, while declaring it would have a negative impact on Israel-Australia relations.