Jewish Advocacy Group Criticizes Australian Sanctions on Iran as ‘Hypocritical’
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The Jewish Council of Australia condemned the Australian government’s decision to impose new sanctions on Iran, labeling it as hypocritical and urging the government to take stronger action against Israel over its genocide in Gaza.
The Jewish Council of Australia called on the Australian government to apply all available pressure, including sanctions, to stop Israel's "crime of genocide" against Palestinians.
This statement follows the Australian government's announcement of new sanctions on Iran, which the council says contrasts sharply with its inaction towards Israel.
"We are still waiting for the Australian government to take any substantial action against the Israeli government," said Max Kaiser, Executive Officer of the Jewish Council of Australia.
He described Foreign Minister Penny Wong's decision to issue sanctions on Iran as "hypocritical in the extreme," given the lack of similar measures against Israel.
The progressive Jewish group pointed to the dire humanitarian situation in northern Gaza, where the World Food Program reports that no food has entered since October 1, putting more than 400,000 people at severe risk of starvation.
In their statement on X, the Jewish Council of Australia highlighted a recent Israeli airstrike on Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in central Gaza, which burned alive four Palestinians and injured dozens, many of whom were already wounded patients.
The council reiterated its call for the Albanese government to immediately cut military ties with Israel and impose sanctions in response to Israel's increasing aggression in Gaza and the West Bank.
"Palestinians in Gaza face death by Israeli assassinations, bombardment, and starvation," Kaiser added. "The images emerging of Israel’s latest massacres in Gaza ought to force governments like ours to take concrete action."
The council, representing a segment of the Jewish community in Australia, insists that opposing the actions of the Israeli regime is in line with their Jewish values.
"We say this as part of a large and growing number of Jews – in Australia and around the world – who have been calling for a ceasefire for many months. Israel's actions are completely incompatible with our Jewish values," said Kaiser.
He emphasized that taking a stand against these actions honors the memory of Jewish ancestors who themselves were victims of genocide and racist violence.