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The end of judicial reform, and the beginning of healing
This reform was aimed at reducing what right-wing supporters believed to be excessive powers held by the courts… However, for millions of Israelis, the suggested reform was seen as a direct attack on the fragile democratic structure of the Jewish state.
Read MoreThe Gaza War as seen from Southeast Asia
The Hamas onslaught upon Israel on October 7 and the resulting military response by Israel prompted a wide range of responses across Southeast Asia.
Read MoreThe UN’s disgraceful response to Hamas massacre can’t go unchallenged
It should have been the easiest thing in the world to do — for the United Nations to unequivocally condemn the brutal and unprovoked Hamas terror attack that killed 1,200 Israelis, and led to the capture of more than 200.
Read MoreHamas is the cause, not the effect, of Israeli policies
Hamas is the cause, not the effect, of the policies they decry, and October 7 has no relation to settlements in the West Bank, the blockade of Gaza or any other Israeli policy. To deny this is to deny history and ignore Hamas’ description of itself and its ideology and motives.
Read MoreNo ceasefire can work unless Hamas disarms
It should be obvious that the only way to achieve any such sustainable outcome is for the military pressure on Hamas to continue until it capitulates. Voting in favour of an UNGA resolution calling for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” with no conditions on Hamas doesn’t advance Australian interests for such a “sustainable ceasefire”. It works against it.
Read MoreAIJAC questions Australia co-signing “counter-productive” statement on settler violence
Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council Executive Director Dr Colin Rubenstein has questioned Australia’s co-signing a statement with other nations, including France and the United Kingdom, that condemned what they claimed was “record high” violence from extremist settlers
Read MoreDismantling Hamas is vital to any hopes of Middle East peace
Australia’s foreign policy goals can best be served by searching for ways to make sure the current Gaza war will end with Hamas’ rule dismantled rather than seeking to legitimise or strengthen Hamas in the utterly misguided hope it can somehow be moderated and converted into a genuine peace partner.
Read MoreUN embraces Iranian human rights abusers at refugee forum
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was set to attend the United Nations Global Refugee Forum, held in Geneva, Switzerland, on December 13… However, just hours before his plane was meant to land in Geneva, Raisi announced he had cancelled.
Read MoreAIJAC endorses efforts to urge International Committee of the Red Cross to demand access to Israeli hostages
The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) today endorsed the grassroots Australian effort urging Red Cross Australia to lobby its international umbrella organisation to demand access to, and the release of, the Israeli hostages who remain in captivity since being abducted by Hamas on October 7. AIJAC also rejected excuses from the International Committee of…
Read MoreAustralia’s “profoundly disappointing” UN vote on Gaza ceasefire: Colin Rubenstein on Sky News
Colin Rubenstein discussed Australia’s statement and UN vote on the Israel-Hamas war with Sky News’ Chris Kenny, 13 December 2023.
Read MoreStatement regarding Australia/Canada/New Zealand joint statement and UN vote on the Israel/Hamas conflict
By effectively calling for an end to the military pressure on Hamas, but not demanding Hamas be disarmed, this resolution makes it much less likely that the “sustainable ceasefire” Australia appropriately supports will ever be achieved.
Read MoreHow October 7th Changed the Middle East and the World: Danielle Pletka
Danielle Pletka, an Australian-born Distinguished Senior Fellow at the Washington-based American Enterprise Institute (AEI), briefed AIJAC supporters about the complexities of Israel-US relations during the current war with Hamas at a lunch on December 11.
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