Dr. Jonathan Spyer to speak in Sydney and Melbourne
November 27, 2014
AIJAC is proud to present two speaking appearances by Dr. Jonathan Spyer, Middle East analyst, author and journalist specialising in Israel, Lebanon and Syria; a Senior Research Fellow at the Global Research in International Affairs (GLORIA) Centre in Israel; and Fellow at the Middle East Forum.
Statement: End the Incitement
November 19, 2014
AIJAC is deeply saddened and shocked by the massacre of four Jews who were worshipping at the Kehilat Bnei Torah Synagogue in West Jerusalem’s Har Nof neighbourhood yesterday, as well as the death of an Israeli Druze policeman who was shot in the gunfight that ended the assault.
It is hard to think of a more heinous and callous crime than terrorists murdering people at prayer in their house of worship. It is despicable that Hamas has praised this brutal attack on innocent civilians.
Joint AIJAC-AJC meetings in Jakarta, Canberra
November 7, 2014
David Harris, Executive Director of the American Jewish Committee (AJC) was recently in Australia, Singapore and Indonesia, in a joint visit with, and coordinated by, the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC), a longtime partner of AJC.
AIJAC’s Executive Director Dr. Colin Rubenstein, who organised the Jakarta, Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra program, was joined by the Harris led AJC delegation in meetings with senior politicians, and prominent decision and opinion makers in each city.
AIJAC condemns horrific Jerusalem murder
July 3, 2014
AIJAC strongly condemns yesterday’s horrific murder of 16-year-old Muhammad Abu Khdeir in Jerusalem.
While all leads are being explored, the possibility raised by Israeli authorities that this could have been a revenge attack for the brutal murder of three kidnapped Israeli teenagers is absolutely abhorrent.
AIJAC condemns horrendous act of terrorism
July 1, 2014
AIJAC mourns Israeli students Gil-ad Shaar, Naftali Frenkel and Eyal Yifrach and condemns, in the strongest terms, their cowardly, despicable murder. We call for the perpetrators and their facilitators to be swiftly brought to justice.
Our thoughts, prayers and deepest condolences go to the brave families of these precious teenagers as they confront this unspeakable tragedy.
AIJAC concerned for kidnapped Israeli teenagers
June 16, 2014
AIJAC is deeply concerned for the welfare of the three Israeli teenagers – Eyal Yifrah, Gil-Ad Shaer, and Naftali Frenkel who were kidnapped in the West Bank on June 12 by Palestinian terrorists, and calls for their immediate release.
AIJAC’s Executive Director Dr Colin Rubenstein said, “Together with Israelis, and all people of good will, our thoughts and prayers are with the kidnapped boys and their families, and we hope for their safe and immediate return.
AIJAC welcomes government decision to refrain from using word “occupied” in referring to east Jerusalem
June 6, 2014
AIJAC today welcomed the Australian Government’s decision, announced by Attorney-General George Brandis on Wednesday, to refrain from using the pejorative and unhelpful word “occupied” to refer to east Jerusalem. It called on all sincere supporters of a genuine two-state outcome to likewise support using terminology which does not prejudge the outcome of negotiations and thus encourages compromise and serious diplomatic engagement between the parties.
Statement: Deadly antisemitic attack in Belgium
May 26, 2014
The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council mourns the victims of the murderous attack at the Jewish Museum in Brussels on the weekend and joins prayers for the full and speedy recovery of the wounded.
“Our first thoughts are with the victims and their families and we hope that effective actions by authorities in Belgium and across Europe will prevent the possibility of the recurrence of such vile, violent action,” Jeremy Jones AM, AIJAC Director of International and of Community Affairs, said today.
Statement on former Foreign Minister Carr’s recent comments
April 11, 2014
AIJAC has had good relations with former Foreign Minister Bob Carr over many years and are puzzled and disappointed by his strange claims that Australian foreign policy under the previous government was under the sway of the “extraordinary influence” of a Melbourne based pro-Israel lobby – apparently a reference primarily to AIJAC. It is frankly sad when an elected official imagines that disagreement with their policy position must stem from malicious influences.