Featured
Editorial: Democracy in Israel, Diplomacy in Washington
While the make up of Israel’s next government remains unclear, what was striking in the aftermath of the Sept. 17 election is that Israel’s democracy remains alive and feisty.
Read MoreStatement on further delays to Malka Leifer’s extradition case
The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) expressed its deep disappointment that the extradition of Malka Leifer to face justice in Australia has been delayed yet again.
Read MoreDislike of Trump is a foolish reason not to protect Australia’s interests in the Persian Gulf
This is not the Iraq War, and dislike of Trump would be a foolish reason not to protect Australia’s interests in maritime security and the free movement of energy in the region.
Read MoreInsider’s guide to the Israeli elections
As Israelis head to the polls today (September 17) for the second time in five months, here’s a quick guide to follow activity in Israel’s various political parties since April’s election as well how they have framed their campaigns.
Read MoreWho’s behind the Saudi oil facility attack?
Only one country stands to gain from the attack on Saudi oil processing facilities and that’s Iran, according to Iran expert Behnam Ben Taleblu.
Read MoreAttack on Saudi oil facility shows Trump was right to pull out of Iran nuke deal
The attack, which knocked out more than half of the Saudi oil output, may force the U.S. to tap into its own oil reserves to keep the markets well supplied.
Read MoreBehnam Ben Taleblu discusses Australians arrested in Iran
Discussing the three Australians arrested in Iran, AIJAC guest Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told ABC News on Sept.13, “There is a 40-year track record, almost as old as the Islamic Republic itself, for taking foreign hostages and abusing dual nationals”.
Read MoreUnderstanding Bibi’s controversial campaign pledge on the Jordan Valley
Election promises should always be taken with a grain of salt, but especially Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s promise on September 10 to extend Israeli sovereignty to the Jordan Valley and northern Dead Sea should he win Israel’s general election on September 17.
Read MoreIran’s dual threat
It’s no secret that the US and Australia retain close ties, share similar security interests and political values, and have even paid the ultimate price for them in places like the Middle East. It is in the Middle East however, that one of the greatest challenges to realising that shared vision is found: Iran.
Read More3 reasons why Iran is a global threat
According to Iran expert and AIJAC guest Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior fellow at the Foundation for the Defence of Democracies, it is not just Iran’s nuclear ambitions that pose a security threat, but its regional ambitions and desire to protect the Islamic Republic at all costs.
Read MoreAustralia’s security chiefs highlight benefits of intel sharing with Israel
Retiring ASIO Director-General of Security Duncan Lewis recently addressed the Lowy Institute and reflected on the importance of exchanging information on security threats with international partners to disrupt planned terror attacks. As an example, he highlighted that in July 2017 Israel shared intelligence with Australia that helped stop the bombing of an Etihad plane on…
Read MoreVeiled Horror: Iran’s headscarf protesters sentenced to decades in prison
It is evident that, both in the UN and most of the world’s media, there is little interest in shining a light, let alone bringing pressure to bear, on Iran over the human rights abuses it inflicts daily on it population in general, and Iranian women in particular.
Read More