The Zionist Federation of Australia is deeply disturbed by revelations that Iran was involved in the planning and execution of multiple antisemitic attacks on Australian soil, including the firebombing of the Adass Synagogue in the heart of Melbourne’s Jewish community last December, and at least two other attacks. These attacks orchestrated by Iran were designed not only to terrorise the Australian Jewish community, but to damage the very fabric of Australian society and send shockwaves throughout the world.
We welcome the Government’s decisive response to expel the Iranian Ambassador, who for too long has been permitted to promote Tehran’s propaganda and contribute to antisemitic vilification in Australia; and the decision to list the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation in Australia.
President of the ZFA, Jeremy Leibler said, “the Government’s actions today send a powerful and principled message that terrorism, foreign interference, and hate have no place in Australia.
The IRGC has for decades orchestrated violence and directed and funded extremist networks well beyond Iran’s borders. Today’s announcement proves what we have long warned; that Iran’s malign reach extends into western democracies, including here in Australia. The firebombing of the Adass Synagogue is a chilling example of how Iranian state actors have sought to export antisemitism, destabilise Australian society, and endanger lives. The listing of the IRGC is a necessary step to ensure that terrorism is not given a foothold on Australian soil.”
ZFA CEO, Alon Cassuto said “the infiltration and normalisation of terrorism and extremism in Australia has been nothing but shameful. Just weeks ago, well-known Australians, including Craig Foster, Mary Kostakidis, and Julian Assange, as well as current and former Members of Parliament, including Ed Husic MP, Senator Mehreen Faruqi, and Bob Carr, were pictured standing in front of a photo of the current Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Despite these chilling revelations, the Australian Jewish community has never been stronger, and we’ve never been prouder to be Jewish.”
Finally, we extend our gratitude to the Australian Federal Police, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, and State Police agencies for their efforts to investigate and disrupt these threats.