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AIJAC calls ABC response to “Q&A” complaint “laughable”
The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council has dismissed as “laughable” a response it received from the ABC’s Audience and Consumer Affairs (A&CA) division to a complaint it lodged about the panel on the “Q&A” program which aired on ABC TV Thursday May 27.
Read MoreGerman experience can inform Australia’s next move on Hezbollah
There is no timeline in place for the Australian Government to consider the PJCIS’ recommendation on Hezbollah. However, the committee has requested that the Department of Home Affairs and other relevant agencies provide classified feedback on their considerations about moving to proscribe all of Hezbollah, preferably within three months. The German experience should certainly be considered by the Department as it prepares any such feedback.
Read MoreEditorial: A Government that looks like Israel
There has always been a large degree of unreality in the distorted way Israel’s most unhinged critics have portrayed the Jewish state. Yet this unreality has arguably never been so apparent since last month’s installation of the new unity Government led by Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid.
Read MoreParliamentary Committee recommends Australia expand listing of Hezbollah
AIJAC extends its appreciation to the Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence and Security for its recommendation that Australia consider listing all of Hezbollah as a terrorist organisation.
Read MoreIranian online Jew-hatred likely fed international wave of antisemitism
While antisemitism is a pervasive problem that long predates the Iranian regime, which is but one of its many champions – although likely its most active and open state promoter – there is enough circumstantial evidence to suggest that its social media incitement campaigns are playing a role in the recent spike in attacks against Jews in the US and perhaps elsewhere.
Read MoreBackgrounder: Who’s who in the new Israeli government
This past Sunday, on June 13, the 36th government of Israel was sworn in. The new government is a diverse coalition comprised of eight parties, and will be led by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett for the next two years, after which Yair Lapid will take over. The new 28-member cabinet features record diversity.
Read MoreIran’s role in the latest Gaza conflict
References to Iran have been glaringly absent from commentary on the clash between Israel and Palestinian factions in Gaza, even though two primary terrorist organisations, Hamas and Islamic Jihad, have effusively praised Tehran and its regional proxies for providing their military capabilities and finance.
Read MoreThe Bibi years: Triumphs, tribulations, controversies and contradictions
This article was originally published in The Australian Jewish News – 18 June 2021. With a simple vote of 60-59 on June 13, the Knesset has pushed the Likud and its leader Benjamin Netanyahu into opposition for the first time since 2009 and potentially brought to a close Israel’s Netanyahu era – but not for…
Read MoreAustralian Government shows seriousness about accountability for Palestinian aid
The Australian Government told a Senate estimates hearing last week that it has sought assurances that funding provided to rebuild Gazan buildings damaged in the most recent conflict will not be commandeered by Hamas to use for military purposes. This is the latest in a series of accountability measures that have been prioritised by the Australian Government with respect to its Palestinian aid program.
Read MoreNaftali Bennett’s views on Palestinian state more nuanced than reported
With Australians waking up on June 14 to the news that Naftali Bennett had replaced Binyamin Netanyahu as Israel’s prime minister, local news outlets were left with the task of providing Australians with a profile of Bennett, an Israeli politician who is hardly a household name here.
Read MoreNetanyahu leaves behind a complex legacy in Israel. His successor will need to deliver change — and fast
The Conversation, June 14, 2021 Israel’s 36th government was approved today, with a slim majority of 60–59 in the Knesset (parliament). The new prime minister is the leader of national-religious party Yamina, Naftali Bennett. A religious person, former commander in an elite army combat unit and successful high-tech entrepreneur, Bennett was forced to form a unity government with…
Read MoreThe new Israeli government – AIJAC’s Ahron Shapiro on ABC Radio
AIJAC’s Ahron Shapiro discussed the new Israeli government ABC News Radio with Glen Bartholomew, 14 June 2021.
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