“No matter which party is in power here, Israel will always have Australia’s friendship and support.”

“All of us in this place, support the right of the people of Israel to live safely within secure borders. And as a true friend of Israel, my party strongly supports a two-state solution. We expect the Palestinian leadership to recognise Israel’s legitimate right to security.”,

Hon. Kevin Rudd MHR, Prime Minister of Australia, Parliament of Australia, 12 March 2008

“Over the past 60 years governments from both sides of politics in Australia have supported our strong relationship with Israel. That relationship is strong and it is deep—and it will remain so. Because we are both democracies, as democracies sometimes we will agree and sometimes we will disagree. That is in the nature of strong relationships. But the underlying friendship between us does not alter.”

Hon. Julia Gillard MHR, Prime Minister of Australia, Address to the United Nations General Assembly, 26 September 2012

“Our support for the right of Israel and its people to exist in security and peace is an historic commitment in Australian policy and it will endure.”

Hon. Simon Crean MHR, Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Australian Labor Party, 1 September 2003

“Labor’s support for the right of Israel to exist behind secure borders in a peaceful Middle East is not only long-standing, it will remain unequivocal and unshakeable.”

Hon. Kim Beazley MHR, Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Australian Labor Party, 1 May 1998

“… despite the wars, terrorism and bloodshed, Israelis have built and maintained a model democracy and a coherent society which is respected around the globe.

Since the 19th century, Jewish Australians have made a major contribution to Australian society and culture and the development of our business, cultural and intellectual assets. Jewish Australians are as important a part of our nation as any ethnic group, making Israeli Independence Day an anniversary with significance for all Australians.”

Hon. Paul Keating MHR, Prime Minister of Australia, 4 December 1995

“In May 1994, I said in a speech to the Zionist Federation of Australia that Australia had never wavered and would never waver from our commitment to Israel’s right to exist within secure and recognised boundaries. But I added that beyond those familiar phrases, we would never waver from a deeper conviction that the international community is a better place, a more decent place, for the contribution Israel has made and will yet make. I hope in some small way that Australia can help it make that contribution.”

Hon. Bill Hayden, Minister for Foreign Affairs, 1 February 1984 (Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Australian Labor Party, 1977 – 1983)

“Your Excellency, you will know too that for the Labor Government of Australia it is absolutely basic policy that we support the right of Israel to exist within secure and recognised boundaries. There can and will be no solution to the dispute between Arabs and the Israelis which does not include a general recognition of the State of Israel.”

Hon. E G Whitlam, Prime Minister of Australia, 6 May 1973

“The sovereignty of Israel not negotiable. The rights of Jews to go to the national homeland and to live there in freedom and peace are not to be denied. The right of Israel to defend her borders and preserve intact the great democracy which flourishes there is not a matter on which this or any Australian Government has ever been neutral.”

Bob Hawke, President, Australian Council of Trade Unions, 1971 (Prime Minister of Australia 1983 – 1991)

“If the bell tolls for Israel, it won’t just toll for Israel, it will toll for all mankind.”

Rt. Hon. Arthur Calwell MHR, Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Australian Labor Party, 1960 – 1967)

‘‘I recall with pride the close association of my distinguished predecessor as Leader of the Australian Labor Party, the late Dr. H. V. Evatt, with the events leading to the establishment of the State of Israel under, the auspices of the United Nations. I share his deep conviction that this was no less than an act of international justice to the Jewish people, and I have watched with admiration the splendid achievements of the new State.”

Dr. H V Evatt, Minister for Foreign Affairs, January 1949 ((Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Australian Labor Party, 1951 – 1960)

“Australia’s decision to give recognition to the Government of Israel was as inevitable as it was just… Australia’s one objective was to reach a fair and just solution, and I believe that objective has now been fully reached.”

Prime Minister Chifley also outlined the Government’s decision on recognition on 7 February 1949, and stated that Australia would vote in favour of accepting Israel into the UN:

“The Government of Australia believes that the new nation of Israel will be a force of special value in the world community and it confidently looks to Israel to assist in carrying out the United Nations decision declaring the special international status of Jerusalem as the Holy City. When the application of Israel comes before the [United Nations] General Assembly Australia will warmly support the admission of Israel to the United Nations.”