Israeli intelligence reportedly helped Australia uncover Iran's role in antisemitic attacks

The Australian government’s recent investigation into two antisemitic attacks concluded that Iran was responsible, with Sky News reporting that Israeli intelligence provided the crucial tip-off.

“A tip-off from Israeli intelligence assisted ASIO [Australian Security Intelligence Organisation] during its investigation unravelling the Iran terror attacks,” the report stated.

“Confidential sources have confirmed that Israel provided ASIO with a tip off, or lead, in relation to one of the firebombings that was orchestrated by Iran.”

The attacks, which took place in 2024, include the firebombings of the Adass Israel Synagogue and Lewis’ Continental Kitchen, a kosher cafe and catering company.

On Tuesday, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commented on the investigation.

“ASIO has now gathered enough credible intelligence to reach a deeply disturbing conclusion that the Iranian government directed at least two of these attacks,” he said.

Following the investigation’s conclusions, Australia expelled Iranian ambassador Ahmad Sadeghi and three other Iranian diplomats from the country.

Australia also officially designated the regime's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), an Iranian military branch, as a terrorist organization.

The Israeli embassy in Australia praised the decision in an official statement posted on 𝕏, stating that the designation was “a strong and important move” which Israel has “long advocated for.”

“We welcome Australia’s decision to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization,” the post read, emphasizing, “Iran’s regime is not only a threat to Jews or Israel,” but that it also “endangers the entire free world, including Australia.”

While Israel praised the decision, the relationship between Australia and Israel has been tense in recent weeks.

Earlier this month, Albanese announced that Australia would officially recognize a Palestinian state in September.

While acknowledging the need for a peace deal that “ensures the security of Israel,” the statement also explicitly criticized Netanyahu.

“The Netanyahu Government is extinguishing the prospect of a two-state solution by rapidly expanding illegal settlements, threatening annexation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and explicitly opposing any Palestinian state,” it said.

Responding to the announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the leader in an official statement.

“History will remember Albanese for what he is: A weak politician who betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia’s Jews,” Netanyahu said.