You’d think they’d be happy that the Israelis took out a Hamas jihadist. But no, it’s all about the passports. “Australia moves to expel Israeli diplomat,” by Rod Mcguirk for Associated Press, May 23 (thanks to Mackie):
CANBERRA, Australia – Australia ordered the expulsion of an Israeli diplomat Monday after investigators concluded Israel was responsible for forging four Australian passports that were used in the slaying of a Hamas operative in Dubai.
Australia’s reaction echoes that of the United Kingdom, which in March expelled a diplomat in retaliation for the use of 12 fake British passports in the plot to kill Hamas official Mahmoud al-Mabhouh. Dubai authorities blame Israel’s Mossad intelligence service for the January slaying.
The governments of Ireland, Germany and France have yet to state how they will react to similar cases of alleged identity fraud against its citizens, as revealed in the investigation.
Australia had not expelled a foreign diplomat since 2004.
Foreign Minister Stephen Smith told Parliament that the operation to kill Hamas official Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in a Dubai hotel room was not the first time Israel had forged Australian travel documents. He did not elaborate on previous incidents, but said the latest transgression breached “confidential undertakings” between the two countries that have stood for several years.
“These are not the actions of a friend,” he said. “This is not what we expect from a nation with whom we have had such a close, friendly and supportive relationship.”…