Police reopen bombing case
THIRTY years after the Israeli Consulate-General and Hakoah Club in Sydney were bombed, police have reopened their investigation into the attacks, appealing for anyone in the community with any information to come forward.
THIRTY years after the Israeli Consulate-General and Hakoah Club in Sydney were bombed, police have reopened their investigation into the attacks, appealing for anyone in the community with any information to come forward.
On the afternoon of December 23, 1982, an explosive device was detonated in a stairwell adjacent to the then location of the Israeli consulate in Sydney, injuring two people.
A second explosion occurred at the Hakoah Club early that evening, though no-one was hurt.
A 31-year-old man was arrested at the time in relation to the Hakoah Club explosion, but charges were later withdrawn.
The case has been reopened due to research undertaken by the Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics Commands Strategy Unit, which established that there were sufficient grounds to warrant a formal re-investigation.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics Commander Assistant Commissioner Peter Dein said the reopened investigation, named Operation Forbearance, will continue until it’s resolved.
He said what began as a cold case investigation now had some “very definite investigative opportunities”.
“We now have the opportunity to use modern-day investigative techniques together with advances in technology and that has created a great opportunity for us to further this investigation,” he said.
He said there are a number of persons of interest in the matter, and added that police believe there are people who know who is responsible.
He said police also believe the suspects are still located in Sydney.
“We’re asking today for anybody who has information related to these two bombings 30 years ago to come forward and help us out,” he said.
Police also believe there is a direct link between the attacks and a pro-Palestinian terror group named 15 May. Officers investigating the case have spoken to senior 15 May member Mohammed Rashed, who is currently in jail in the US. He was sentenced in 2006 for his role in the bombing of a Pan Am flight from Tokyo to Honolulu in August 1982, in which a teenage boy was killed. Fifteen other people were injured in the attack.
A police source has also described 15 May leader Abu Ibrahim as “a significant person of interest to this investigation”.
The investigation is being conducted by a joint counterterrorism team comprising Australian Federal Police and ASIO.
As part of the investigation, police have re-released two identikit images of suspects believed to be involved in the bombings.
NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president Yair Miller said: “We welcome the fact that new evidence seems to have come to light that might help solve this case.
“We have every confidence that the police are dealing with the matter appropriately.”
An Embassy of Israel spokesperson said they had been updated on the latest details.
“We have complete trust in the ability of the Australian law enforcement to fully extract the investigation and bring the perpetrators to justice,” the spokesperson said.
Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Watch NSW Police appeal for information here.
GARETH NARUNSKY
Chief Superintendent Wayne Gordon and Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics Commander Assistant Commissioner Peter Dein take questions from media.
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