Australia spies warned about embassy move
SECRET DOCUMENT SAYS RELOCATION MAY TRIGGER UNREST IN GAZA AND WEST BANK
Australia’s spy agency had warned government ministers that Scott Morrison’s proposed shift in Middle East policy relocating its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to occupied Jerusalem may “provoke protest, unrest and possibly some violence in Gaza and the West Bank”.
Guardian Australia has obtained a secret an Asio (Australian Security Intelligence Organisation) bulletin, marked ‘AUSTEO’ (Australian eyes only), circulated on October 15 — the day before Morrison’s announcement — that notes the putative shift will “attract international attention”.
“We expect any announcement on the possible relocation of the Australian embassy to [occupied] Jerusalem or consideration of voting against Palestinians in the United Nations may provoke protest, unrest and possibly some violence in Gaza and the West Bank,” the bulletin says.
It warns it is possible Australian interests may be the target of protest activity following any public announcement by the government, and notes “attacks and violent protests” have occurred previously at times of heightened political tension.
Domestic protests
The bulletin also highlights the possibility of protests within Australia, although it says domestic protests are unlikely to be violent. It says Asio is not currently aware of specific threats to Jewish interests in Australia, although it says Israeli and Jewish interests remain “an enduring target of extremists globally”.
Morrison flagged that Australia might follow US President Donald Trump’s controversial policy moving Australia’s embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to occupied Jerusalem on Tuesday — an announcement senior figures concede is timed to coincide with the Wentworth byelection tomorrow, which the Liberals are at risk of losing.
The electorate, held previously by former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, has a significant Jewish population.
The government considered the implications of emulating Trump’s hawkish position on occupied Jerusalem when Turnbull was prime minister because it would harm the relationship with Indonesia.
Indonesia has reacted coolly to the potential shift, and representatives from 13 Middle Eastern and North African embassies in Australia have condemned the proposal, declaring it a “fatal mistake” .