Australia expels Israeli diplomat for forgery

Canberra: Australia yesterday ordered the expulsion of an Israeli diplomat after investigators concluded Israel was responsible for forging four Australian passports that were used in the assassination of a Hamas leader in Dubai.

Australia had not expelled a foreign diplomat since 2004.

Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said Israel had been asked to withdraw the diplomat, whom he did not identify, within a week. The duration of the expulsion was indefinite.

Smith told Parliament that the operation to kill Mahmoud Al Mabhouh in a Dubai hotel was not the first time Israel had forged Australian travel documents.

He did not elaborate, but said the latest transgression breached "confidential undertakings" between the two countries.

"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."

Australia's reaction echoes that of the United Kingdom, which in March expelled a diplomat for the use of 12 fake British passports in the plot.

Mossad men

Israeli radio stations have reported that the diplomats expelled from Australia and Britain were Mossad representatives.

"We regret this decision by the Australian government," Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor said. "It is not in line with the importance and the quality of the relationship between our countries."

Israel had not retaliated against Britain's expulsion of a diplomat and Smith said he would be disappointed if Israel retaliated against Australia's decision.