THE AUSTRALIAN government has expelled an Israeli diplomat after it found Israel counterfeited Australian passports used in the assassination of Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in February.
Irish, British, French and German passports were also used in the killing of Mr Mabhouh in Dubai. Authorities in the Gulf state said they were almost 100 per cent certain that the Israeli spy agency, Mossad, was responsible for the killing.
Australian foreign minister Stephen Smith said last night the fraud was “not the act of a friend”.
“This is not what we expect from a nation with whom we have had such a close, friendly and supportive relationship,” he said.
Investigations carried out by Australia’s federal police, security intelligence organisation and secret intelligence service showed Israel faked the passports of four Australians who also had Israeli nationality. “The high quality of these counterfeited passports points to involvement of a state intelligence service,” he said.
“These investigations and advice have left the Australian government in no doubt that Israel was responsible for the abuse and counterfeiting of these passports.” The government was taking this step “much more in sorrow than anger or retaliation”.
“It is a decision taken in our national security interest. The department conveyed the government’s deep disappointment over Israel’s involvement in this affair.”
Mr Smith said Israel was on notice that if it fakes Australian passports again, similar or stronger action would be taken.
Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor said Australia’s action was regrettable.
“It does not reflect the importance and the quality of our relationships,” he said.
The deputy leader of the opposition Liberal Party, Julie Bishop, accused the government of ulterior motives for the expulsion, saying it was “seeking to pursue a seat on the [UN] Security Council”.
“The government is keen to curry favour within the Arab community,” Ms Bishop said.
“There is no actual proof that the Israeli government was involved – there is an assumption.”
Former Australian foreign minister Alexander Downer also accused the government of seeking to win votes in its push for a security council seat.
“Israel is not the only country that engages in this sort of behaviour, frankly, so it’s a bit rich to single out Israel,” he said.