The 2014 Gaza War: Top military leaders say Israel “met and in some respects exceeded the highest standards” in its military conduct
December 18, 2015 | Or Avi Guy
The High Level Military Group (HLMG) report is a thorough assessment of the conduct of the Israel defence forces during the 2014 conflict with Gaza. Authored by military experts and professionals with in depth knowledge and experience in warfare and the Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC), it concluded that Israel met, and at times exceeded, its obligation under international Law of Armed Conflict.
Rudeness to Palestinians? It’s about incitement
December 18, 2015 | Ahron Shapiro
As anyone who regularly reads AIJAC’s blogs would be aware, incitement and glorification of terrorism to Palestinian society – including and especially children – is unfortunately a way of life in the Palestinian Authority and Gaza (see here, here and here).
For the most part, this incitement is under-reported in Australian media, but it sparked a controversy in Australia this week – not because it exists and the obstacle it poses to preparing the Palestinian people for peace, but ironically because top Palestinian officials took offense when visiting senior Australian and UK government officials and politicians had the courage to raise the issue with them.
As ISIS problem festers, and Syria bleeds, UNGA again focuses its efforts on condemning Israel
December 10, 2015 | Or Avi Guy
The UN General Assembly (UNGA) is just winding up its 70th session, so this is an opportune time to reflect on the resolutions the international organisation has passed (or is in the process of passing).
Israeli policy responses to the terror wave
December 4, 2015
The wave of stabbing attacks on Israelis continues, with attacks virtually every day – though it seems to be getting less and less media coverage. (There was a shooting attack yesterday, three significant attacks on Tuesday, and two more on Sunday. A useful spreadsheet of all attacks this year – including many never reported – is here.) This Update deals with some of Israel’s efforts to respond – as well as why this violence continues.
ABC’s Sophie McNeill tackles incitement, doubles down on insistence that “occupation” behind terror
December 4, 2015 | Allon Lee
The ABC’s Sophie McNeill finally tackles incitement – by doubling down on her insistence that terror is all about “occupation”…
Palestinian incitement and murderous Palestinian violence continue
December 1, 2015 | Or Avi Guy
The continuous attacks in Israel go under-reported in most international mainstream media. Also ongoing is the Palestinian incitement behind these stabbing, ramming and shooting attacks – and there is almost certainly some correlation between the two phenomena.
Polish-Jewish Dialogue Leader visits Sydney
November 25, 2015 | Glen Falkenstein
Polish political leader and trailblazer in Polish-Jewish dialogue Andrzej Folwarczny visited Australia this week to share his experiences in raising awareness of the Jewish heritage of Polish towns, cities, and communities.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop’s powerful words on Australia-Israeli relations at Hebrew University award ceremony
November 24, 2015 | Sharyn Mittelman
On November 22, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop received the “Torch of Learning” award from Australian Friends of Hebrew University in Sydney.
On accepting the award, Ms Bishop delivered a strong speech in which she said, “Tonight, in accepting the Torch of Learning Award, I commit anew to the powerful relationship between our two countries,” adding, “Israel’s struggles are our struggles. Their fight is our fight. Israel’s opportunities are our opportunities. Israel’s values are our values. We must both be prepared to continue to defend them. Australia and Israel – ours is a special friendship, a special relationship and long may it endure.”
The Music of Murder: What Palestinian teens who stab Israelis are listening to
November 12, 2015 | Or Avi Guy
Nationalistic Palestinian music is enjoying a renaissance, with sales reportedly reaching 90% of the discs sold at local CD stalls. Yet the new songs being released represent an emerging trend of increasingly militant language and imagery, blunt messages and calls for violent action.
Iran’s Anti-American Backlash/ Syria Diplomacy
November 12, 2015
This Update leads with the reality that, contrary to likely expectations of the US Administration, the Iran nuclear deal appears not only troubled in terms of Iran trying to re-write its terms prior to implementation, but appears also to be doing the opposite of creating a rapprochement between Teheran and the US. It also features some intelligent comment on recent efforts to seek a diplomatic resolution on Syria, including inviting Russia and Iran to join the talks in Vienna a couple of weeks ago.
