Penny Wong ‘welcomes’ Jamal Rifi legal developments as hope rises for end to exile
The government remains ‘deeply concerned’ about Jamal Rifi’s absentia conviction but ‘welcomes’ new legal efforts in Lebanon to overturn the decision amid a chorus of bipartisan support for the Sydney doctor.
The federal government remains “deeply concerned” about Jamal Rifi’s absentia conviction but “welcomes” new legal efforts in Lebanon to overturn the decision amid a chorus of bipartisan support for the Sydney doctor and community leader.
The news comes after The Australian revealed on Sunday how Dr Rifi’s high-ranking politician brother, Ashraf, intended to file lawsuits against the “ring of villains” who colluded against his sibling, while urging Lebanon’s top judicial figures to revisit the case as Hezbollah’s governmental grip loosened.
Convicted in absentia and sentenced to a decade in jail in 2021 by a military tribunal because of his charity work with NGO Rozana, Dr Rifi was accused of treason and “collaborating” with Israel, effectively forcing him into exile.
A spokeswoman for Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the government “remained deeply concerned” with Dr Rifi’s conviction but that it was hopeful Ashraf’s legal efforts could “overturn the decision”.
“Dr Rifi has made an invaluable contribution to Australian society, particularly through his work to bring communities together,” the spokeswoman said.
Australia’s Ambassador to Lebanon has sought clarification of the tribunal’s decision but legal matters in that country must be resolved through its own courts and authorities.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke – who has a longstanding relationship with Dr Rifi and whose Watson electorate takes in his Sydney-based medical practice – said he hoped Ashraf’s efforts bore fruit.
“Jamal is an extraordinary Australian … I know this (his conviction, enforced exile) has deeply saddened him and hope it can soon be fixed,” Mr Burke said.
Dr Rifi has been applauded for his community work from both sides of politics – former Liberal prime minister Scott Morrison called him a “great Australian” – and opposition foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham said every and any effort should be explored.
“Australian authorities should take any reasonable step possible to support efforts to clear Dr Rifi’s name and enable him to safely reunite with family in Lebanon,” the retiring senator said, praising his social cohesion work.
“Dr Rifi’s targeting and persecution by Hezbollah-aligned figures is a further reminder of their divisive and destructive actions.”
NSW Industrial Relations Minister Sophie Cotsis, whose Canterbury electorate takes in Dr Rifi’s practice, called him a “valued community member”, admired by all for “his empathy, understanding and compassion”.
“As a general practitioner, Dr Rifi has worked tirelessly for decades to improve the health outcomes of all Australians in my electorate,” she said.
“He played a major role in advocating for the upgrade of Canterbury Hospital and was instrumental in pushing for mobile drive-through clinics during the Covid pandemic.”
NSW Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib has known and worked closely with Dr Rifi for about 25 years.
One of Dr Rifi’s sons attended Punchbowl Boys High School when Mr Dib was principal and after the 2005 Cronulla riots the two men together sought to repair community relations.
“Dr Rifi is there at the heart of trying to improve the community and support whoever he can,” the Bankstown state MP said.
“If there’s a just cause, you know he’ll be at the forefront.
“I’ve seen across 25 years the number of times he’s helped people way beyond that (expected) of a GP … supporting refugees, people struggling financially.”
Dr Rifi’s Covid vaccination pop-up, Mr Dib said, turned into an all-day effort to reach each part of the community, with the doctor travelling before and after hours to ensure those that couldn’t get to him got jabbed.
“If there’s a need for someone to step up, Jamal doesn’t think twice,” Mr Dib said.
“If he can’t (help), he will find someone who can … his values are about helping people and justice, that’s what drives him.”
An MP representing Tripoli, in Lebanon’s north, Ashraf – who is also a former national police chief and justice minister – is set to file lawsuits against the pro-Hezbollah operatives in the military court and local media who conspired against his sibling.
“We appealed to the Justice Minister, and we (again) appeal to the minister, (chief) public prosecutor, and Lebanon’s Supreme Court president to take an honest look at Jamal’s case,” Ashraf told Lebanese media last week, saying the witch hunt against his brother had robbed him of the chance to be at their mother’s death bed and funeral, or pay respects at her grave.
Dr Rifi had worked for eight years with Rozana, which is chaired by Melbourne-based Jewish business leader Ron Finkel, and it has been praised for its cross-faith work helping Palestinians, particularly gravely injured Gazan children, and donating ventilators during the pandemic.
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