Leadership deals with Dubai death passports
The Executive Council of Australian Jewry and the Zionist Federation of Australia have endorsed investigations into the misuse or theft of Australian passports.
ECAJ President Robert Goot
Robert Goot, President of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry said: “The death of senior Hamas terrorist Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in Dubai, has given rise to speculation in the media about Israeli involvement, although no hard evidence has been found to support such a conclusion. In Australia, the speculation has been compounded by an allegation that the incident involved the abuse of passports of three former or current Australian citizens residing in Israel, who appear to have been the innocent victims of identity fraud.
“Al-Mabhouh bragged openly about his role in murdering two Israelis. He was a senior figure in the military wing of Hamas, which is listed as a terrorist organization under Australian law and openly committed to the destruction of Israel, a member state of the United Nations. He was also reportedly working with clandestine arms dealers and Iranian and other contacts to smuggle rockets and mortars into Gaza for use against both Jewish and Arab civilians in Israel. His every action was directed to perpetuating the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians and the misery and suffering it has brought to innocent people on both sides. He had enemies in many places, not only in Israel, and they included Palestinians, as a result of the recent murderous internecine conflict between Hamas and Fatah in Gaza. At the time of his death al-Mabhouh appears to have been traveling in Dubai under a false name with false travel documents.
“On the other hand, if the Australian passport regime has been abused and innocent people may be adversely affected, that is a matter of serious concern to all Australians, including the Australian Jewish community.
“The ECAJ believes therefore that the Australian Government has acted correctly in ordering a thorough investigation by the Australian Federal Police and ASIO. We note that both the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister have also properly stated that the Australian Government will await the outcome of those investigations before drawing any conclusions.
“The ECAJ similarly believes it is not sensible or constructive to draw conclusions or make comments in a climate of speculation and conjecture, and in the absence of real evidence. It believes it is also wrong to draw any inference, one way or the other, from Israel’s long-standing policy of neither confirming nor denying allegations relating to security matters, a policy based on both reason and necessity”.
Following Goot’s statement the Zionist Federation of Australia President Philip Chester announced: “First and foremost, the ZFA has no information whatsoever and accordingly can make no comment in relation to any of the allegations of the Dubai police force concerning speculation that Israel was involved in the death of Hamas terrorist Mahmoud al-Mabhouh or the alleged misuse of Australian, English, French, German or Irish passports.
Philip Chester
Al-Mabhouh had openly admitted to the murder of 2 Israelis and held a senior role in the military wing of Hamas which has been declared a terrorist organisation under Australian law due to its openly stated commitment to the destruction of Israel and to the killing of Israeli and other non-combatants.
Al-Mabhouh was not only a murderous opponent of Israel, but also of Palestinians from opposing camps. At the time of his death he was apparently travelling in Dubai with false identity documentation.
The ZFA notes that Israel has not accepted responsibility for or made any comment in relation to Mahmoud al-Mabhouh’s death or the alleged misuse of passports and it believes it is not appropriate for speculation to prevail or unsubstantiated conclusions to be drawn in the absence of hard evidence.
The ZFA acknowledges that it is appropriate for the Australian government and its security agencies to investigate any credible allegations of misuse or theft of Australian passports.
The ZFA firmly believes that the long standing warm bonds between Australia and Israel which are based on shared values of freedom, tolerance and a commitment to defend their democratic way of life, will prevail.
The ZFA wishes to acknowledge the strong ongoing support and friendship of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and the Australian government towards the State of Israel.
The ZFA also acknowledges the warm support of the opposition and its leader Mr Tony Abbott, towards the State of Israel.”
