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Monsters and Heroes: An Australian perspective
It’s impossible not to be moved by a myriad of emotions as we watched young women and an old man go from the dark abyss of evil, hatred and despair into the euphoria of lightness, good and the loving embrace of their family and friends.
Read MoreTo succeed, the Gaza ceasefire must lead to hope and stability
The text of the ceasefire agreement is a masterclass of internal contradictions, vagueness, and word choices that enable both sides to claim they did not compromise on their key demands
Read MoreAntisemitic bomb plot “a massive escalation”: Colin Rubenstein on Sky News
AIJAC executive director Dr Colin Rubenstein spoke with Sky News’ Peter Stefanovic about the apparent antisemitic bomb plot uncovered by NSW Police, as well as the continuing antisemitic graffiti attacks.
Read MoreA peaceful Gaza is possible
It goes without saying that imposing conditions in Gaza is complicated. Hamas’s ideology is deeply entrenched; Hamas was in charge of school curriculum for 16 years, in a territory where the median age is 18. Erasing this influence will demand a sustained effort to reshape Gaza’s political, social and economic systems – something for which the international community has, historically, shown zero appetite.
Read MoreA ceasefire is not enough for a strategic victory in the Middle East
Israelis are overjoyed to see some hostages released after 15 months of captivity under the Hamas deal. However, they also overwhelmingly recognise that the second phase of the agreement, which is supposed to create arrangements for a permanent end to the war and whose details are still to be negotiated, must not preserve the status quo.
Read MoreAntisemitism database “first step of many more that need to be taken”: Dr Colin Rubenstein on ABC TV
Speaking to the ABC, AIJAC’s Executive Director Dr Colin Rubenstein responds to the National Cabinet’s decision to establish a national database to track antisemitism.
Read MoreAIJAC calls for urgent national action on worsening antisemitism crisis
The attack on a childcare centre in Maroubra yesterday again underscores the reality that violent antisemitism is not a passing malady, but has become a chronic illness in Australia.
Read MorePrice of the Israel-Hamas hostage exchange ‘excruciatingly high’ as hatred of Jews explodes across the Western world
To see our first three hostages, Emily, Romi and Doron, emerge from that darkness into the light illustrates what this war is truly about. We cannot even begin to imagine the suffering they have endured.
Read MoreA welcome pause, but Hamas horror lingers
Releasing terrorists is inherently risky for Israel. A similar prisoner release with Hamas in 2011 in exchange for Gilad Shalit freed Yahya Sinwar, the mastermind of the October 7 attack. Nevertheless, most Israelis and diaspora Jews viscerally welcome the deal. For so many of us, since October 7, the families of the hostages have become part of our own. The plight of the hostages cast a pall on every holiday, wedding and birthday, and for many, kept us awake at night.
Read MoreThere is no big winner in the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal
Hamas will glory in the horrors of October 7. It will claim it won because it survived. However, it hoped to ignite a wider war with Israel which would be attacked with equal force from all sides and ultimately destroyed.
Read MoreFactsheet: The ceasefire for hostages deal just reached between Israel and Hamas
Overview On January 15 2025, many hours after Israeli approval, the terror group Hamas finally agreed to a brokered deal, which would see Hamas gradually release 33 of the 98 Israeli hostages remaining in captivity in Gaza from among those taken during Hamas’ pillaging of southern Israel on October 7 2023, in return for the…
Read MoreAIJAC relieved over deal to release hostages, but mindful of those left behind and ambiguity over Hamas’ role
AIJAC is elated and relieved that a deal has finally been reached that will see the release of dozens of the Israeli hostages who were seized by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and have since been held in Gaza in the most inhumane conditions.
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