Right-wing parties reunite

Late last night, party lists were finalised for the election for Israel’s 23rd Knesset, which will take place on March 2. In an update to yesterday’s blog, let me note some last-minute surprises and developments. At the proverbial eleventh hour yesterday (January 15), New Right party leader Naftali Bennett and Jewish Home party leader Rafi…

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Mergers, reshuffles ahead of tonight’s Israeli election deadline

In the lead-up to Israel’s March 2 election – its third in the past year following two successive failures to achieve a government coalition – political parties are scrambling to finalise their lists ahead of the January 15 filing deadline (that is, 10pm this evening Israel time). In a major development intended to eliminate the…

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AIJAC welcomes reports Leifer found fit to face an extradition hearing

The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) today welcomed reports that a panel of court-appointed mental health professionals has determined that Malka Leifer is psychologically fit to face an extradition hearing after countless delays and alleged ministerial interference. Leifer is facing 74 charges of child sexual abuse in Victoria dating from her time as principal…

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Time to push for new Iran nuclear deal

An edited version of this article appeared in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald on Jan. 10, 2020. Amidst the high stakes drama that is currently playing out between Iran and the US in Iraq, it’s easy to lose sight of the main issue fueling the tension, that is, the pressing need to prevent Iran…

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AIJAC describes appointment of Yaakov Litzman as Israel’s Health Minister as “deplorable”

The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) has described as “deplorable” the Dec. 27 appointment of Yaakov Litzman as Israel’s Health Minister, despite police recommendations that he should face criminal charges for alleged interference in the extradition case against accused paedophile and former school principal Malka Leifer. AIJAC’s Dr. Colin Rubenstein AM stated, “Yaakov Litzman’s…

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AIJAC hails Australia’s stance on ICC and Israel

The Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) has expressed gratitude to the Australian Government for expressing its concern about the International Criminal Court (ICC) chief prosecutor’s decision to launch an investigation into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict announced on Dec. 20. In a statement made to the Jwire news service and published on Dec. 24, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said:…

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