Latest news with #AmirMaimon
Sky News AU
4 days ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Israeli ambassador shocked over recent Victorian antisemitic attacks
Israeli Ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon discusses the recent antisemitic attacks in Victoria, calling for more arrests of people involved in previous instances. 'I do hope that in the future we will see some more arrests of people that were involved in antisemitic attacks,' Mr Maimon told Sky News host Sharri Markson. 'To be honest, when I was appointed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I was told by some of my very capable predecessors that there is no better place than Australia to spend the last few years before retirement. 'I didn't expect that during my tenure I would be visiting so many synagogues.'
Sydney Morning Herald
5 days ago
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Police told not to confront protesters before restaurant rampage
Police responded swiftly to the firebombing of the historic East Melbourne Synagogue in Albert Street, which is also known as the City Shul. Angelo Loras, a 34-year-old with a last known address in Sydney, was arrested and charged within two days of the attack, which caused only superficial damage to the front door of the synagogue. Israel's ambassador to Australia, Amir Maimon, and federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley are expected to visit the synagogue this week. At Miznon, police were caught unprepared for the violence after officers were given instructions not to engage with the earlier anti-police demonstration at the State Library of Victoria, according to a well-placed source not authorised to speak publicly. About 20 people broke away from this gathering and stormed Miznon in nearby Hardware Lane. During the incident at Miznon, which unfolded when Hardware Lane was packed with Friday night diners, a window was broken, food was thrown and tables were turned over while protesters shouted slogans including 'Death to the IDF'. The same chant was heard at Sunday's pro-Palestinian rally, where the attacks on the restaurant and synagogue were also condemned by organisers. One person was arrested at Miznon for allegedly hindering police. Officers ordered others to move on. This masthead has confirmed, through the well-placed source, that dozens of officers were assigned to the anti-police demonstration, which was promoted online by various hard-left and pro-Palestinian activist groups. At a Friday afternoon tactical briefing, a decision was taken for police to not have a physical presence at the protest, to avoid inflaming the group. Instead, officers are understood to have waited on buses parked in surrounding streets when the demonstration began shortly after 5.30pm. This meant police were unaware when, some time before 8.15pm, some of the protesters started walking towards Miznon. The restaurant had in previous days been identified on social media as a target by activists because one of its owners is involved in a controversial Israeli and US-linked charity, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Loading The foundation has faced criticism for its role in Gaza food distribution sites where hundreds of Palestinians have been killed. A police spokeswoman confirmed resources were allocated to the anti-police protest but did not say how they were deployed. 'Victoria Police was aware of a planned protest in Melbourne on Friday 4 July. Victoria Police had specific resources available to respond when needed, as was the case in the incident that took place at a restaurant on Hardware Lane,' a spokesperson said. A source with knowledge of the police investigation said most of the protesters questioned by police at the restaurant were known to police due to their frequent attendance at the regular Sunday rallies. Police have also released CCTV footage of five people they would like to speak to in relation to the Greensborough vandalism. Allan described the decision to protest on Sunday, less than two days after the synagogue attack, as 'particularly odious, hateful behaviour' and said she was open to taking further action to stop public demonstrations of hate speech. New anti-vilification laws which carry jail terms for serious offences were passed by parliament after last December's arson attack which destroyed the Adass Israel Synagogue in the Melbourne suburb of Ripponlea but are yet to come into force. Legislation is still being drafted to prohibit face masks at protests and flags and symbols associated with terrorist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. The anti-hate taskforce follows the announcement of Project Leah, a working group of Jewish community and local government leaders, and a review of Victoria's multicultural commission and polices. Loading 'If there is more to do we will take that action,' Allan said. 'I would say to anyone who wants to bring hate to our streets, we have toughened the law, we will continue to toughen the law.″ Opposition police spokesman David Southwick said the government had acted too slowly in response to previous attacks and surging antisemitism. 'No more talk-fests, mo more taskforces,' he said. 'It's time to act. It's time for real action.' In October 2023, within days of the Hamas-led atrocities in southern Israel which began the war in Gaza, Victoria Police launched Operation Park in response to a surge in attacks on Melbourne's Jewish communities. Since then, police have received 324 reports relating to antisemitism and made 143 arrests, while also conducting more than 9700 patrols predominantly in the Glen Eira, Bayside, Stonnington and Port Phillip municipalities, where most Jewish people live in Melbourne.
The Age
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Age
Police told not to confront protesters before restaurant rampage
Police responded swiftly to the firebombing of the historic East Melbourne Synagogue in Albert Street, which is also known as the City Shul. Angelo Loras, a 34-year-old with a last known address in Sydney, was arrested and charged within two days of the attack, which caused only superficial damage to the front door of the synagogue. Israel's ambassador to Australia, Amir Maimon, and federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley are expected to visit the synagogue this week. At Miznon, police were caught unprepared for the violence after officers were given instructions not to engage with the earlier anti-police demonstration at the State Library of Victoria, according to a well-placed source not authorised to speak publicly. About 20 people broke away from this gathering and stormed Miznon in nearby Hardware Lane. During the incident at Miznon, which unfolded when Hardware Lane was packed with Friday night diners, a window was broken, food was thrown and tables were turned over while protesters shouted slogans including 'Death to the IDF'. The same chant was heard at Sunday's pro-Palestinian rally, where the attacks on the restaurant and synagogue were also condemned by organisers. One person was arrested at Miznon for allegedly hindering police. Officers ordered others to move on. This masthead has confirmed, through the well-placed source, that dozens of officers were assigned to the anti-police demonstration, which was promoted online by various hard-left and pro-Palestinian activist groups. At a Friday afternoon tactical briefing, a decision was taken for police to not have a physical presence at the protest, to avoid inflaming the group. Instead, officers are understood to have waited on buses parked in surrounding streets when the demonstration began shortly after 5.30pm. This meant police were unaware when, some time before 8.15pm, some of the protesters started walking towards Miznon. The restaurant had in previous days been identified on social media as a target by activists because one of its owners is involved in a controversial Israeli and US-linked charity, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Loading The foundation has faced criticism for its role in Gaza food distribution sites where hundreds of Palestinians have been killed. A police spokeswoman confirmed resources were allocated to the anti-police protest but did not say how they were deployed. 'Victoria Police was aware of a planned protest in Melbourne on Friday 4 July. Victoria Police had specific resources available to respond when needed, as was the case in the incident that took place at a restaurant on Hardware Lane,' a spokesperson said. A source with knowledge of the police investigation said most of the protesters questioned by police at the restaurant were known to police due to their frequent attendance at the regular Sunday rallies. Police have also released CCTV footage of five people they would like to speak to in relation to the Greensborough vandalism. Allan described the decision to protest on Sunday, less than two days after the synagogue attack, as 'particularly odious, hateful behaviour' and said she was open to taking further action to stop public demonstrations of hate speech. New anti-vilification laws which carry jail terms for serious offences were passed by parliament after last December's arson attack which destroyed the Adass Israel Synagogue in the Melbourne suburb of Ripponlea but are yet to come into force. Legislation is still being drafted to prohibit face masks at protests and flags and symbols associated with terrorist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. The anti-hate taskforce follows the announcement of Project Leah, a working group of Jewish community and local government leaders, and a review of Victoria's multicultural commission and polices. Loading 'If there is more to do we will take that action,' Allan said. 'I would say to anyone who wants to bring hate to our streets, we have toughened the law, we will continue to toughen the law.″ Opposition police spokesman David Southwick said the government had acted too slowly in response to previous attacks and surging antisemitism. 'No more talk-fests, mo more taskforces,' he said. 'It's time to act. It's time for real action.' In October 2023, within days of the Hamas-led atrocities in southern Israel which began the war in Gaza, Victoria Police launched Operation Park in response to a surge in attacks on Melbourne's Jewish communities. Since then, police have received 324 reports relating to antisemitism and made 143 arrests, while also conducting more than 9700 patrols predominantly in the Glen Eira, Bayside, Stonnington and Port Phillip municipalities, where most Jewish people live in Melbourne.
Sky News AU
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Thousands of Israelis returning home despite escalating conflict with Iran
Israel's Ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon addresses the surge of Israelis seeking to return home amid escalating tensions with Iran. 'We have over 150,000 Israelis that are really seeking or looking to return to our beloved homeland,' Mr Maimon told Sky News host Chris Kenny. 'There are so many Israelis that are waiting to return, to reunite with their beloved ones. 'To be in Israel is such a very difficult time for all of us.'
7NEWS
19-06-2025
- Politics
- 7NEWS
Government working on ways to get Australians out of Israel and Iran amid deadly conflict
Israel is helping Australia evacuate its citizens as its bombing campaign against Iran continues, the country's ambassador says. The first group of Australians fleeing the conflict crossed a land border out of Israel on Wednesday, assisted by the federal government. Israeli ambassador Amir Maimon said he was personally involved in the Australian government's efforts to get people out. 'We are assisting the Australian government in every possible way,' he said. For Australian mother-of-three Emily Gian, life in the days since Israel launched strikes on Iran and triggered waves of missile fire in retaliation has been spent in and out of underground bunkers. 'We could hear it so loud that my kids thought that it was near our house,' Gian told AAP. 'It's a really loud boom. You feel the house shake.' But unlike earlier conflicts with Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis, Gian said the strikes from Iran came with the added fear that the nation was believed to be working on nuclear weapons. 'There's always been a fear in Israel that an escalation with Iran is the ultimate and scariest escalation that could be,' she said. But she won't flee. 'Our plans are to stay here for now because we live here, our house is here, our life is here, our work,' Gian said. Melbourne lawyer Leon Zweir, who is in Jerusalem attending a conference, has registered with DFAT to be repatriated but will not leave until the event ends on Thursday. Amid concerns the US could enter the conflict, about 1200 Australians in Israel have registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs for help to leave, while 1500 Australians and family members have sought help to leave Iran. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said a small group left Israel via a land crossing on Wednesday and that the department is looking for more ways to evacuate Australians. 'Obviously, the situation on the ground is fluid,' she told ABC News. Evacuation was riskier in Iran, where the advice for Australians was to shelter in place if there was no opportunity to leave safely. 'All-out war' The conflict began on Friday after Israel moved to wipe out Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program, claiming the Islamic Republic was on the verge of developing nuclear weapons. US President Donald Trump has since met his national security council and demanded that Iran unconditionally surrender, adding he knew where Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was hiding. Iran has warned of 'all-out war' if the US joins the fray. Wong said the Iranian regime threatened the stability of the Middle East. 'It's time, beyond time for Iran to come back to the negotiating table, for Iran to agree to discontinue any nuclear program,' she said. Israeli strikes on Iran have killed at least 639 people and wounded 1,329 others, according to Washington-based group Human Rights Activists, while Israel said at least 24 civilians had been killed.
