Australia joins the UN Human Rights Council – but can it help reform that troubled and problematic body?
March 1, 2018 | Naomi Levin
This week, to almost no public fanfare, an Australian representative spoke at the United Nations Human Rights Council for the first time since this country took its elected seat on January 1.
Assad regime escalates chemical weapons use, but does anyone care?
February 16, 2018 | Sharyn Mittelman
According to numerous reports, the Syrian government is still using chemical weapons against its civilians and has even increased the frequency of such attacks. In the past month alone, it has been accused of using chemical weapons at least six times. These latest assaults are believed to have been chlorine attacks. While chlorine itself is not a prohibited substance as it can be used for water purification and other civilian purposes, the use of any chemical weapon including chlorine is a war crime banned under the Geneva Convention.
The fallout from Poland’s controversial new law on the Holocaust
February 8, 2018 | Sharyn Mittelman
In recent years, Poland has become one of Israel’s best friends in Europe. However, that relationship appears to have been badly fractured with Poland’s President Andrzej Duda signing a bill into law on Feb. 6 which calls for prison terms for people blaming Poland as a nation for Holocaust crimes committed by Nazi Germany.
On settlements, Obama is entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts
February 7, 2018 | Ahron Shapiro
Former US President Barack Obama claims “skyrocketing” settlement growth justified his decision to abstain on one-sided UNSCR 2334 in 2016, but the facts don’t back him up.
Banning Hezbollah in its entirety debated in UK Parliament
February 1, 2018 | Sharyn Mittelman
On January 25, members of the UK Parliament supported a non-binding resolution in the House of Commons to proscribe all of Hezbollah as a terrorist organisation under UK terrorism legislation. Currently, in the UK only the military wing is defined as a terrorist organisation.
An Amazing statement from the Saudi-affiliated World Muslim League
January 31, 2018 | Gareth Narunsky
For years, Saudi Arabia has been known as the leading exporter of radical Islam in the world, with its brand of extremist Wahhabism inspiring some of the most notorious hate preachers and terrorist groups around the globe.
Netanyahu in India
January 17, 2018 | Sharyn Mittelman
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made a historic visit to India to mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations between the two nations. During this visit, India and Israel have signed nine agreements including Memorandums of Understanding in the fields of gas, oil, renewable energy and cyber security. In addition, agreements were signed for a joint industrial research and development deal and an update to an aviation agreement, as were agreements in health and space exploration.
Settlement activity plunges, but media clings to misleading Peace Now narrative
January 16, 2018 | Ahron Shapiro
Israeli housing starts in West Bank settlements are at their lowest point since 2011, but news stories keep focusing on planning sessions for projects that may never get built.
AIJAC guest Dr Matthew Levitt in the media
December 18, 2017
Dr Matthew Levitt, the Director of The Washington Institute’s Stein Program on Counterterrorism and Intelligence, recently completed a successful visit to Australia and New Zealand as a guest of AIJAC.
In addition to briefing politicians, think tanks and law enforcement officials, Dr Levitt’s busy schedule also included several media appearances, which can be streamed below.
At OIC summit, Abbas crosses a line into apparent antisemitism and rejectionism
December 15, 2017 | Ahron Shapiro
In the aftermath of the US announcement on December 6 recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and the intent to move their Israeli embassy there, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has opened up a diplomatic attack on Israel, spearheaded by many Muslim states. His remarks have even veered in Islamist antisemitic tropes and historical revisionism.
Australia’s 2017 Foreign Policy White Paper
December 4, 2017 | Sharyn Mittelman
The 2017 Foreign Policy White Paper seeks to navigate Australia’s great uncertainties and challenges in international relations – from China’s rise to the perceived US retreat, regional interests, forces of protectionism and nationalism overseas, and the weakening of the international rules based order. Regarding areas of particular interest to AIJAC, the White Paper discusses issues including Australia’s support for Israel and the two state outcome, multiculturalism, the Iran nuclear deal known as the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), the threat of Islamist terrorism and Australia’s role at the United Nations.
How to Understand John Lyons’ “memoir” Balcony Over Jerusalem
November 17, 2017 | Ahron Shapiro
The recently published book by John Lyons, Balcony Over Jerusalem: A Middle East Memoir (co-written with Lyons’ wife, Sylvie Le Clezio) is being billed as a “memoir” of Lyons’ six years as Middle East correspondent for the Australian newspaper, from 2009 until January 2015…
However, on anything to do with Israel and the Palestinians, it becomes very unlike a memoir. Lyons’ book goes far beyond simple reporting and reminiscences and instead sets out to make arguments and judgments that nearly uniformly are devoted to criticising Israel, its Jewish citizenry and the country’s national character.
