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…
Prime Minister Julia Gillard today announced that Australia will provide urgent assistance to help combat the bushfires in Carmel forest in Northern Israel. The three-day old bushfires have already ravaged about 30,000 acres and claimed over 40 lives. The Prime Minister said Australia would move quickly to make both expertise and resources available following a…
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…
Ministers: Thank you for that warm and generous welcome. Erev Tov Haverim (Good evening friends) Shalom, Salaam, G’Day! I am delighted to be here, among so many people of goodwill, in such magnificent surroundings. I am thrilled to be joining you for the beginning of a new and exciting shared venture: the Australia Israel Leadership…
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,…
By leave—I move: That the House: (1) celebrate and commend the achievements of the State of Israel in the 60 years since its inception; (2) remember with pride and honour the important role which Australia played in the establishment of the State of Israel as both a member state of the United Nations and as…
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…
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…
Like all other members of the Senate, I wish to endorse the remarks of all senators in support of this motion. Last week I had the opportunity in my office late on Tuesday evening to watch live the funeral ceremony from Israel. No-one who watched that could have been other than completely moved by the…
I fully endorse the remarks that Senator Baume and other senators have just made. Those of us who are associated with the Jewish community in some minor way feel the enormous loss that is, of course, associated with this vile act. I, along with a number of my colleagues from both sides of this chamber…