MEDIA RELEASES

AIJAC mourns the passing of Ambassador Richard Schifter

Oct 6, 2020 | AIJAC staff

Ambassador Richard Schifter with Dr Colin Rubenstein in 2002
Ambassador Richard Schifter with Dr Colin Rubenstein in 2002

Media Release

 

It was with great sadness that the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council learned of the passing of Ambassador Richard Schifter.

AIJAC conveys its heartfelt sympathy and condolences to his family and the many colleagues who are mourning this loss.

Ambassador Schifter had been a good friend of AIJAC for more than four decades, as a constant and respected source of advice, great wisdom and encouragement. We were in correspondence on matters of mutual concern as recently as last month. It had been our privilege to host him in Australia, having regularly benefitted from meeting with him in the USA.

His advocacy work and promotion of human rights and democracy had a significant global impact and his dedication to the task of fighting for fair treatment of Israel at the United Nations and its agencies was inspirational. His service to three US Presidents gave him a platform from which to advocate for the highest of ideals and earned him permanent respect.

He was a man with incredible drive, strength, perseverance and achievement, while always behaving with civility, decency, humility and generosity of spirit.

May his memory always be a blessing.

Mark Leibler AC – National Chairman
Colin Rubenstein AM
– Executive Director
Paul Rubenstein
– NSW Chairman
Jeremy Jones AM
– Director of International and Community Affairs

RELATED ARTICLES


The destruction wrought on the Adass Israel Synagogue in the arson terror attack on December 6 (Image: X)

AIJAC calls for urgent national action on worsening antisemitism crisis

Jan 21, 2025 | Featured, Media Releases
Image: Shutterstock

AIJAC relieved over deal to release hostages, but mindful of those left behind and ambiguity over Hamas’ role

Jan 16, 2025 | Featured, Media Releases
UN General Assembly chamber (Photo: Steve Estvanik, Shutterstock)

Australia’s votes at UN “starkly at odds with its own policy”

Dec 12, 2024 | Media Releases
Foreign Minister Penny Wong (screenshot)

AIJAC “deeply disappointed” with “moral relativism and factual confusion” in speech from Foreign Minister

Dec 10, 2024 | Featured, Media Releases
Josh Frydenberg

Senator Watt’s comments “disappointing and irresponsible”

Dec 9, 2024 | Media Releases
Screenshot

AIJAC horrified by arson attack on Melbourne synagogue

Dec 6, 2024 | Featured, Media Releases

RECENT POSTS

(Image: screenshot)

Antisemitism database “first step of many more that need to be taken”: Dr Colin Rubenstein on ABC TV

The destruction wrought on the Adass Israel Synagogue in the arson terror attack on December 6 (Image: X)

AIJAC calls for urgent national action on worsening antisemitism crisis

Screenshot/ X

Price of the Israel-Hamas hostage exchange ‘excruciatingly high’ as hatred of Jews explodes across the Western world

Screenshot: IGPO

A welcome pause, but Hamas horror lingers

Image: Shutterstock

There is no big winner in the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal

(Image: screenshot)

Antisemitism database “first step of many more that need to be taken”: Dr Colin Rubenstein on ABC TV

The destruction wrought on the Adass Israel Synagogue in the arson terror attack on December 6 (Image: X)

AIJAC calls for urgent national action on worsening antisemitism crisis

Screenshot/ X

Price of the Israel-Hamas hostage exchange ‘excruciatingly high’ as hatred of Jews explodes across the Western world

Screenshot: IGPO

A welcome pause, but Hamas horror lingers

Image: Shutterstock

There is no big winner in the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal

SORT BY TOPICS