Media briefed on possible Israel embassy move before defense review | Australia news

The media were briefed on Australia's proposal to consider moving its embbady in Israel to Jerusalem before defense forces were ordered to conduct a review of safety.

The chief of the defense force, Angus Campbell, told the press about the influence of force protection measures.

The comments are likely to be inconvenienced by the Morrison government over the past few days, but Campbell's insistence that the Australian forces were safe and effective.

Asio warned that the announcement of the proposed embbady move may "provoke protest, unrest and possibly some violence in Gaza and the West Bank".

On the evening of 15 October the Australian, Fairfax Media and the Daily Telegraph published reports that Australia would consider moving its embbady. Scott Morrison made the announcement on 16 October, just days ahead of the 20 October byelection in Wentworth.

Greg Moriarty, the defense secretary, said that he had first become aware of the prime minister's opinion about the location of the embbady and would announce a review of the government's approach to the Iran nuclear deal .

Hugh Jeffrey, tea first badistant secretary of international policy, said the department was informed to "make sure that we have the appropriate measures in place for our staff deployed in the region".

David Johnston, David Johnston, who was the acting chief of the defense, said he became aware that "that night" on October 15, 2014. force protection review. Johnston said reviews occur "very dynamically – it does not take us long".

The Labor Leader in the Senate, Penny Wong, commented on the media reports. "If that is the timing of the announcement then yes," Johnston conceded.

When Wong asked about the media found out before, Campbell commented that "the strength of the protection measures that are in place for operational purposes is more than adequate".

Johnston said that it was "not concerned for the protection of our people, that they were appropriate".

When Campbell noted the announcement was just one "additional issue" to consider in force protection, Wong replied "where an Australian embbady is located in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not a small issue".

Campbell noted the Australian government was only considering a move of the embbady and had not made a final decision, although Johnston conceded it was a "good point" that may have been received.

After the lunch break, Wong asked if it was better practice for the defense.

"Yes senator," Campbell replied after a break.

The Asio bulletin first published by Guardian Australia is marked secret, AUSTEO (Australian eyes only) and was circulated on 15 October. It notes that the putative shift would "attract international attention".

"The report reads:" We are waiting for the announcement of the possible relocation of the United States to Palestinians in the United Nations may provoke protest, unrest and possible violence in Gaza and the West Bank, "the bulletin says.

It warns it is possible, and it has been reported that it has been attacked by the government.

It notes that Australian diplomatic facilities in Iran could also be the focus of protest activity in the Morrison government with Iran from the nuclear deal – which was another option of the prime minister floated this week.