Australian Foreign Minister Rebukes Iranian Diplomat’s Call to Wipe Out Israel

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has criticised the remarks, but stopped short of taking any action, while the opposition has demanded sanctions.

An Iranian flag is pictured near a missile during a military drill involving Iran’s Air Defense units in Iran on Oct. 19, 2020. West Asia News Agency via Reuters

A diplomatic incident is brewing after the Iranian Ambassador to Australia Ahmad Sadeghi referred to Israelis as a “Zionist plague” and described Hamas’ commitment to “wiping out” Israel by 2027 as a “heavenly and divine promise.”

He made the remarks on social media on Aug. 3.

Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong condemned the statements as “inconsistent with national values.”

“Those comments are inflammatory and they’re repugnant, and they do not represent Australia,” she said in a statement.

“We maintain a diplomatic relationship with Iran because we seek to further Australia’s interests; that is why we continue to engage, including in relation ... to the importance of de-escalation, given the circumstances we face in the Middle East.”

Opposition Wants Sanctions

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade officials have also held talks with Sadeghi, but opposition home affairs spokesman James Paterson maintains the government’s reaction does not go far enough.

“If he wasn’t an ambassador, it’s highly likely [the comments] would fall afoul of Australia’s anti-incitement and racial vilification laws,” he told ABC Radio on Aug. 6, in reference to the ambassador’s diplomatic immunity.

“If he is wantonly breaking the law like that and inciting violence against the community ... it is incumbent on the government to take action.

“They have options available to them under the Vienna Convention, including declaring an ambassador to be persona non grata.”

Spreading ‘Terror and Disruption’ in Australia: Birmingham

Shadow foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham echoed calls for a stronger response.

“Comments that enthusiastically embrace the ‘wiping out’ of Jews in Israel are clearly anti-semitic, divisive, inflammatory and intolerable. They have no place in Australian debate, let alone from a supposed diplomat, and I unconditionally condemn them,” he said.

“At a time when Australia faces increasing terrorist threat, the last thing we need is Iran spreading its campaign of disruption and terror in our own country.”

Tensions continue growing in the Middle East following the assassination in Iran of Hamas’ political leader Ismail Haniyeh.

The attack is widely believed to be retaliation by Israel for the murder of 12 Druze children by the Iranian-backed Hezbollah during a cross-border rocket barrage, but Israel has not admitted responsibility.

The United Nations Security Council condemned the assassination and called for increased diplomatic efforts to prevent an all-out war in the Middle East.

Iran has vowed retaliation against Israel, prompting fears of the conflict spreading to nearby nations.

Australians in Lebanon have been urged to leave the country as soon as possible.

AAP contributed to this report