By -

ASIO has attributed two of the anti-Semitic attacks that have occurred in Australia since the October 7 atrocities in Israel, to Iran.

In a statement, Director-General Mike Burgess said anti-Semitism has been one of the agency’s most pressing priorities for the past 10 months. “We have investigated dozens of incidents targeting Jewish communities, places of worship, businesses and prominent individuals,” said Burgess.

“ASIO now assesses the Iranian Government directed at least two and likely more attacks on Jewish interests in Australia.”

The Prime Minister said enough credible intelligence has been gathered to conclude that the Iranian Government was behind an arson attack on the Lewis’ Continental Kitchen in Sydney on 20 October last year, and an arson attack on Melbourne’s Adass Israel Synagogue on 6 December.

“ASIO is still investigating possible Iranian involvement in a number of other attacks,” said Burgess, “but I want to stress we do not believe the regime is responsible for every act of anti-Semitism in Australia.”

“It goes without saying that Iran’s actions are utterly unacceptable. They put lives at risk. They terrified the community. They tore at our social fabric. Iran and its proxies literally and figuratively lit the matches and fanned the flames,” he said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese elaborated on the developments in parliament. “These were extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression, orchestrated by a foreign nation on Australian soil. They were attempts to undermine social cohesion and sow discord in our community.”

He said it required strong and decisive action in response. “The Iranian ambassador is being expelled.” Operations of the Australian embassy in Iran have been suspended and diplomats relocated.

“The government will legislate so that we can list Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the IRGC, as a terrorist organisation. The actions of my government send a very clear message to nations like Iran who seek to interfere in our country, that your aggression will not be tolerated,” said the PM.

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley expressed support for the government’s response. “We are all disgusted to learn of the serious and chilling foreign interference which has perpetrated by the Islamic Republic of Iran on Australian soil.”

“These acts of egregious foreign interference are brazen attempts to cleave apart our social cohesion,” she said.