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Iran directed at least two attacks against Australia’s Jewish community, Australia’s domestic spy agency has determined, with Anthony Albanese describing the attacks as “extraordinary and dangerous acts by a foreign nation on Australian soil”.
The prime minister announced on Tuesday afternoon that the Australian Security and Intelligence Organisation had “credible intelligence” to determine the Iranian government was behind the attacks against the Adass Israel Synagogue of Melbourne and Lewis’ Continental Kitchen, alleging “it is likely Iran directed further attacks as well”.
In response to the investigation, the Iranian ambassador to Australia, Ahmad Sadeghi, will be expelled – the first removal of a foreign ambassador to Canberra since the postwar period – and Australia’s embassy in Tehran will suspend operation. Albanese also said the government will list Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the IRGC, as a terrorist organisation.
The Asio director general, Mike Burgess, said his agency did not believe Iran was involved in every act of antisemitism in Australia but was investigating other events for possible Iranian government involvement. Burgess said no Iranian diplomats here in Australia were involved. “This was directed by the IRGC through a series of overseas cut-outs, facilitators, to coordinators that found their way to tasking Australians,” he said.
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In pictures
In his new book Footy Country, Australian photographer Cory White toasts the role grassroots football plays in connecting communities across Australia. From Kalgoorlie to Cairns, Darwin to Queenstown, his evocative portraits capture the players, support crew, competition, camaraderie and the emotion that binds them together.
What they said …
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“You should take the advice of your own military and agree to a ceasefire” – Penny Wong
The Australian foreign affairs minister has condemned Israel’s strike on a hospital overnight as “horrific”. The strikes killed at least 20 Palestinians, including five journalists, according to health officials. Speaking to Channel Seven, Wong said the Netanyahu government must agree to a ceasefire.
Full Story
Kmart faces legal action in Australia over potential forced labour links
Earlier this month, an Australian-based Uyghur group launched legal action against Kmart in the federal court. The case has put the retailer’s supply chain under scrutiny for potential links to forced labour in China’s Xinjiang province.
Nour Haydar speaks with senior reporter Ben Doherty about the legal action against Kmart and the warnings that Australia could become a dumping ground for products linked to forced labour.
Before bed read
Australians are attending fewer community activities, volunteering less and have less trust in institutions and democracy. Political polarisation is on the up, while union and political party membership is down – yet our desire for connection has not disappeared. So, how does one reconnect with community in 2025?
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: PUS. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
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