AIJAC welcomes Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd’s Visit to Max Brenner; Statements Against Boycott
July 15, 2011 | Colin Rubenstein
Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd and Federal MP Mr Michael Danby should be highly commended for their visit yesterday to a branch of Max Brenner in Melbourne, a target of recent anti-Israel protests, where they took a strong stance against the boycott of Jewish and Israeli-owned business. Two weeks ago, Palestinian supporters of the boycott launched a protest outside the café that took a violent turn, leaving three policemen injured and 19 protesters arrested. The Herald-Sun reported Rudd calling the boycott “archaic” and saying, “I went there deliberately to make a point and that is I don’t think in 21st century Australia there is a place for the attempted boycott of a Jewish business…I thought we had learned that from history.” The Age also reported Rudd stating that:
“As an individual citizen – that is me, K. Rudd – I am here because I object to the boycotting of Jewish businesses.”
AIJAC Congratulates South Sudan on its Independence
July 12, 2011 | Colin Rubenstein
The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council congratulates the Republic of South Sudan as it officially joins the family of nations. After so many years of conflict, there is now the potential for peace and reason for optimism.
Jones in high-level dialogue in Bosnia
March 11, 2011
Jeremy Jones, Director of International and Community Affairs for the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council, was in the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo for a series of high-level discussions last week. The visit, organised as a result of Jones hosting leading Bosnian religious and political figures for meetings in Australia over the past few years, was designed to strengthen the ties between Bosnians and Jews as well as Bosnia and Australia.
First ever Jewish Australian involvement in high-level Vatican Dialogue
March 7, 2011
For the first time, an Australian has participated in the Jewish delegation to the International Liaison Committee, in which Jewish representatives meet with Vatican appointees to further Jewish-Catholic understanding and dialogue.
Jeremy Jones, Director of International and of Community Affairs for the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council, participated in the meeting in Paris last week, as one of the 25 members of the delegation from the International Jewish Committee on Inter-religious Consultations (Jeremy Jones is also the first Australian to serve on that body).
AIJAC welcomes decision to appeal Zentai case
January 5, 2011
Dr. Colin Rubenstein, Executive Director of the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council said today, “AIJAC welcomes the decision by the Commonwealth Government to appeal the Federal Court’s decision in the matter of the extradition of alleged murderer Charles Zentai to Hungary.
AIJAC welcomes Australia’s vote on ‘Durban III’ conference
January 4, 2011
Dr. Colin Rubenstein, Executive Director of the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council said today, “AIJAC welcomes the December 24 vote by Australia at the UN against the ‘Durban III’ conference. The vote adds to Australia’s long and proud history of acting against racism.”
AIJAC welcomes latest ACMA report on al-Manar as significant step forward
December 10, 2010
The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) has welcomed ACMA’s finding that al-Manar breached Australia’s broadcasting codes in regards to racism.
AIJAC congratulates Ted Baillieu on his election as Premier of Victoria
November 30, 2010
The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) has extended “sincere congratulations” to Victorian Liberal Party leader Ted Baillieu on his “stunning election victory and on becoming the 46th Premier of Victoria.”
AIJAC applauds Aust. Govt. vote on UN “anti-racism” conference
November 29, 2010
The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) has formally “acknowledged and extended appreciation” to the Australian Government for the “principled stand in voting against the UN resolution to hold a conference in New York in 2011 marking 10 years since the Durban WCAR [World Conference against Racism].”
AIJAC welcomes further Australian sanctions on Iran
July 30, 2010
The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) today welcomed the Australian Government’s announcement that further sanctions are to be placed on Iran. AIJAC National Chairman Mark Leibler AC said, “Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons is a destabilising factor in an already unstable region. We congratulate the Australian government on imposing these additional sanctions on Iran to help force it to comply with international opinion and UN Security Council resolutions, to stop its enrichment program and open up all nuclear sites to unfettered access for international inspectors.”
