Israel and PNG: A relationship built upon faith
September 8, 2023 | Alana Schetzer
After some months of anticipation, Papua New Guinea (PNG) opened its embassy in Israel’s capital Jerusalem on September 5, with visiting PNG Prime Minister James Marape declaring it a “milestone moment” for the Christian-majority South Pacific nation.
Organised crime, police crisis fuel Arab murder epidemic in Israel
September 6, 2023 | Ahron Shapiro
A leadership body representing Israel’s Arab communities called a “state of emergency” and a general strike on September 5 to protest intra-Arab violent crime, murders and assassinations, which have soared to unprecedented levels this year.
Australia must do more about Iran
August 25, 2023 | Oved Lobel
Instead of focusing solely on Israeli–Palestinian issues, Australian pressure should also be directed towards the Iranian regime over its piracy, terrorism, nuclear program, regional destabilisation, weapons proliferation and material support for Russia.
The ABC gets settlements wrong, again
August 23, 2023 | Ahron Shapiro
By leaving out facts that don’t fit the story’s narrative… the ABC avoided showing its news audience the reality that is far more complex than the simplistic morality play the segment would suggest.
Why those who claim the illegality of West Bank settlements is “settled law” are wrong
August 23, 2023 | Ahron Shapiro
If the arguments presented in the essays and papers above are challenging to process for the layperson, that is to be expected. International Law deals with legal principles and precedents that demand a specialisation within the legal academic community.
Which is why neither journalists, nor activists, nor politicians, are qualified to declare what international law is on this vexed issue.
Australia’s ongoing near silence on Iran
August 11, 2023 | Oved Lobel
It took months for Australia to even condemn Iran for its support of Russia’s war in Ukraine, support that has only increased and now includes not only drones and body armour, but artillery shells and millions of rounds of small arms ammunition, as well – a reality Australia alone among our allies seems to be ignoring.
Israel and Vietnam – A relationship dating back to Ben-Gurion and Ho Chi Minh
August 8, 2023 | Alana Schetzer
Today, 77 years after Ho’s offer to Ben-Gurion, Vietnam is one of Israel’s strongest allies in Asia. The two countries have just celebrated 30 years of formal diplomatic relations, topping it off by signing a free trade agreement.
Iran expands its military presence in South America
August 3, 2023 | Oved Lobel
Bolivia, which moved back into Iran’s orbit in 2020, reportedly inked a memorandum of understanding on defence and security with Iran following the Bolivian Defence Minister’s visit to the country on July 20 that may result in the delivery of Iranian drones to the country. Iran’s Defence Minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani declared the defence agreement with Bolivia “has the potential to serve as a pioneering model for other nations in South America.”
Israeli army moves to centre-stage in judicial reform controversy
July 26, 2023 | Ran Porat
Even if a compromise is achieved in the future, the damage inflicted on the IDF by this episode will take a long time to repair. Inner cohesion and the commitment of Israeli soldiers to serve in the army have been crucial components of the IDF success as the “people’s army”. Both are now in question.
