During his recent visit to Israel, AILD’s Michael Borowick met with Labour Party leader Shelley Yechimovich and Hilik Bar, Israel Labour Party General Secretary. Borowick and Bar also met at headquarters of the Labour Party in Tel Aviv to discuss the importance of AILD and the dialogue it seeks to foster between the ILP and…
At a function celebrating the return of 9 Victorian ALP State Parliamentarians from a recent study mission to Israel, Deputy Labor Leader, Hon James Merlino MLA, said that he understood and believed that “Israel is a triumph of the human spirit.” Merlino talked about the mission as confronting, beautiful, sobering and fascinating. He said a highlight was…
GOUGH Whitlam, the prime minister who shines brightest in Labor’s pantheon, had an “immoral, unethical and ungrateful attitude” towards Israel, his nemesis Bob Hawke allegedly said. That revelation about Australia’s 1972-75 PM and Hawke, whose 1983-91 prime ministership was one of the most supportive of Israel, comes from a welter of diplomatic cables posted online…
By Tim Harcourt* The targeting of Israel via the boycotts of goods and people with Israeli connections is not only misguided but also likely to be counterproductive to trade, international relations and ultimately peace between Israel, the Palestinians and Arab nations in the Middle East. Much of this activity takes place on University campuses, and…
As part of Leonard Cohen’s successful world comeback tour in 2009 he included a concert at Ramat Gan stadium near Tel Aviv in his itinerary. For that he was condemned by some activists for promoting a cultural exchange in Israel. Never mind the fact that proceeds from this concert were directed to the “Fund for…
Standing up to the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement Speech by Paul Howes to Zionist Federation of Australia conference in Melbourne, Sunday October 10 2010 Thanks for inviting me to speak to the Zionist Federation of Australia conference. We are here at both an exciting time: — the new round of peace talks between the…
To be able to come here at the invitation of your Speaker and of your Prime Minister Olmert – and to applaud you and the citizens of Israel for the courage you have shown in the face of adversity, resolution in the face of conflict, resilience in the face of challenge – is, for me,…
ACTU President, Sharan Burrow, today condemns the suicide bombing in Rishon Le Zion, near Tel Aviv, which killed 15 people. ‘This appalling murder of innocent people will inevitably exacerbate the hatred and violence which is poisoning the lives of Palestinians and Israelis’, said Ms. Burrow. Ms. Burrow repeated last month’s call by the ACTU’s International…
It is a very great pleasure to be here this evening to mark the 25th anniversary of the Australia Israel Chamber of Commerce. The Chambers achievements over that quarter century are substantial and Its potential is even greater. So there are many reasons to celebrate tonight and! I will cc-me to them shortly. But I…
The PRESIDENT —In closing the debate, I would like to add just a few words of my own. It is always a disadvantage to speak last because most things have already been said. Of course, I support all of those things that have been said. I visited Israel in April this year as a guest…