Diplomat expelled to win Arab favour: Bishop
The Federal Opposition has accused the Government of expelling an Israeli diplomat as a means to win Arab support for an Australian seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Foreign Minister Stephen Smith today announced the expulsion after investigations left the Government in "no doubt" Israel had faked Australian passports used in a hit on a top Hamas leader in Dubai.
But Deputy Opposition Leader Julie Bishop says there is no hard proof Israel is behind the duplicated passports.
"In the absence of proof, it would be appropriate to reprimand, appropriate to chastise the Israeli government," she told Sky News.
"There is a widely held view, there is an assumption that the Israeli government was involved, but there is no actual proof."
Ms Bishop, the Opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman, says expelling a diplomat is either an over-reaction or a calculated political decision.
"The Government is facing an election. The Government is also seeking to pursue a seat on the Security Council. The Government is keen to curry favour within the Arab community," she said.
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http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/05/24/2908049.htm?section=justin
But Deputy Opposition Leader Julie Bishop says there is no hard proof Israel is behind the duplicated passports.
I watched Julie Bishop on the Insiders last Sunday and she gave an acceptable performance, considering her credibility is in tatters after her brief attempt at playing Treasurer when she didn't have a clue about the job. So I take the above statement with a grain of salt.
It seems the Israelis are more upset about an obscure diplomat being sent home than they are about being accused of the offensive act of forging Australian documents. If this is true why dont we shut their embassy and send them all packing? Why do we pander to these fools?