Israeli ambassador returns to Canberra to discuss ‘fake passport’ row
The Israeli ambassador Yuval Rotem returned to the Canberra on Wednesday to meet with Australian officials over the expulsion of a Mossad chief from the Australian capital for allegedly using fake Australian passports in the killing of a Hamas official.
The latest diplomatic row is the worst to hit Australia-Israeli relations.
"I will be seeking meetings with the government and we will be communicating our message on this issue to them," Rotem told reporters.
Australia's Foreign Ministry ordered the expulsion of the Mossad official less than an hour after informing the Israeli embassy and announcing it before the parliament.
The Foreign Ministry informed the new British foreign secretary William Hague, as well as the United Arab Emirates, France, Germany, Ireland - who all had passports caught up in the same incident - and the United States of its decision.
Several Jewish community groups in Australia criticized the expulsion describing it as an "overreaction," and does not reflect the special relationship between Australia and Israel.
The Deputy Opposition Leader, Julie Bishop, also condemned the decision and said that the investigation conducted by Australia's intelligence agencies that showed fake Australian passports involved in an Israeli operation to kill a Hamas leader, is "not absolute proof."
But Bishop was reprimanded by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd for allegedly breaching Australia's national security interests by her speculations on the operation of the country's intelligence services.