Iran’s Shocking Escalation
"Iran's evil intent has been brought out into the open," posted Liberal MP Julian Leeser.
As Israel’s war cabinet weighs its response to Iran’s weekend missile barrage, Jewish leaders have condemned the Islamic Republic’s violence and hostility, the first direct major attack by Tehran on Israeli territory.
With Israel’s Iron Dome air defence system successfully striking most of the drones, cruise and ballistic missiles with the help of the US, UK, Jordan, and intelligence from Gulf states including Saudi Arabia, the Iranian onslaught had little impact, however, a young Bedouin girl in southern Israel was severely wounded.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Sunday Australia “condemns Iran’s attacks”, adding, “Iran has ignored our call, and those of many other countries, not to proceed with these reckless attacks. Anyone who cares for the protection of innocent life must stand against these attacks.
“This escalation is a grave threat to the security of Israel and the entire region.
“Australia continues to support regional security, including that of Israel.”
However, Shadow Foreign Minister Simon Birmingham noted, “The responses of [US] President Biden and Prime Minister Albanese were a study in contrasts. While the US pledged its ‘ironclad commitment’ to Israel, the Albanese government could only muster support for ‘regional security, including that of Israel’.” He added that it is “beyond time” the government listed Iran’s Revolutionary Guards as a proscribed terrorist organisation.
Liberal MP Julian Leeser posted on social media, “Iran’s evil intent has been brought out into the open.
“Our embassy in Iran should be closed. The Prime Minister should give the order now.
“Australia has nothing in common with Iran, we must cut ties with this despotic regime.”
Calling for “diplomatic steps” against Iran’s embassy, Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion stated, “We condemn and abhor the large-scale attack on Israel carried out by the Iranian regime. The attack was calculated to terrorise Israelis and inflict maximum damage on civilian life and infrastructure. We are grateful to the international coalition, including Arab states, that rapidly mobilised to – for the most part – neutralise the attack.”
Welcoming Jordanian and Saudi cooperation in quelling Iran’s attack, Zionist Federation of Australia president Jeremy Leibler said, “Israelis will not be cowed. We welcome the clear international condemnation of these attacks. Iran wants to set the region on fire … In recent months and years it has been coordinating Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis in Yemen to do the same.”
Describing Iran’s attack as “a wake-up call to Australia and the world”, Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council executive director Colin Rubenstein said, “The ballistic missiles that Iran launched from their own territory against Israel in this attack were armed with conventional warheads on this occasion, but their development goes hand-in-hand with their nuclear program.”
Urging “a massive and crushing response”, Australian Jewish Association CEO Robert Gregory said, “It is time for Israel to strike Iran, including its illegal nuclear facilities.”
Union for Progressive Judaism co-presidents Danny Hochberg and Larry Lockshin, ARZA president Ayal Marek and the Assembly of Rabbis and Cantors chair Rabbi Allison Conyer stated, “We send our complete support for and solidarity with the people of Israel. We also express our gratitude to the US, Britain, France, Jordan and other allies who are helping defend our beloved State of Israel.”
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