Diplomat expelled to win Arab favour: Bishop - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

AS POSTED HERE ... Diplomat expelled to win Arab favour: Bishop - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

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.

Ms Bishop, however, denied suggestions the Opposition's position would help it shore up support from Australia's Jewish community.

In February several forged Australian passports were used in the assassination of Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Mabhouh.

Mr Smith confirmed investigations by Australian Federal Police, ASIO and ASIS showed Israel fabricated the passports of four Australians who also had Israeli nationality.

He has rejected accusations the decision to expel an Israeli diplomat was politically driven.

Mr Smith says the Government has conducted its own investigation and acted on carefully constructed advice.

"If all we were doing as the Deputy Leader of the Opposition asserts, being political, we wouldn't have taken such time giving it careful consideration," he said.

"The high quality of these counterfeited passports points to involvement of a state intelligence service," he said.

"These investigations and advice have left the Australian Government in no doubt that Israel was responsible for the abuse and counterfeiting of these passports.

"The Government takes this step much more in sorrow than anger or retaliation.

"This is not what we expect from a nation with whom we have had such a close, friendly and supportive relationship."

Regrettable decision

A spokesman for the Israeli foreign ministry, Yigal Palmor, says it is a regrettable decision.

"We regret this step by the Australian Government," he said.

"It does not reflect the importance and the quality of our relationships."

Israel has maintained there is no proof it was behind the assassination.

Meanwhile retired Liberal MP and former foreign minister, Alexander Downer, says it is "pretty obvious" why the Government made the decision to expel the diplomat.

"In an effort to try to beat Finland and Luxembourg, the Australian Government is going out of its way to ingratiate itself to other countries in the Middle East, to build up its credentials with the Gulf Cooperation Council and other Middle Eastern countries," he said.

"So this is a good way of doing it. That's what's driven this. It's not a point of principle.

"Israel is not the only country that engages in this sort of behaviour, frankly, so it's a bit rich to single out Israel."

Nicole McCabe, Joshua Bruce, Adam Korman and Joshua Krycer have been named as the Australians whose passports were forged. All four live in Israel.

Mr Smith says replacement passports have been issued and consular assistance is still being provided to the four Australians.