IN THE MEDIA

Vale Senator Jim Molan

Jan 20, 2023 | Colin Rubenstein

(Screenshot)
(Screenshot)

J-wire – 19 January 2023

Senator Jim Molan, who passed away on January 16, is being rightly eulogised for his life of service to Australia, but he also leaves a legacy as a strong advocate for Australia-Israel ties, a defender of Israel’s right to exist in peace and security, and a true friend of the Jewish community.

Senator Molan was a man of great principle and courage who provided distinguished and dedicated service to our country in a variety of important roles, inside and outside parliament. He was a thoughtful, intelligent and unfailingly kind and generous person, and we at the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) were privileged to work with him on a number of occasions. 

He was closely involved with the Beersheva Dialogue, participating on several occasions in this annual strategic exchange between Australia and Israel, including at the one in Israel during the events marking the 100th anniversary of the historic battle of Beersheva. Senator Molan also participated in our defence and security dialogues that brought strategists and analysts from Australia and Southeast Asia together with their Israeli and Middle Eastern counterparts.

 As a retired general who led coalition forces during the height of the second Iraq war, Senator Molan held unparalleled and unique insights into the complex defence landscape in the Middle East. This, in turn, served as one cornerstone of his support for Israel.

Emblematic of his views regarding Israel’s security, Molan took part in a multi-national inquiry into Israel’s conduct in the Gaza war of 2014. The inquiry’s report defended Israel’s actions in that war. Reviewing Israel’s efforts to protect Gazan civilians, Molan memorably told ABC at the time that “as someone who has practically applied the laws of armed conflict in modern warfare, I was very impressed.”

Molan added that Israel’s military had acted with restraint in the war and had properly investigated incidents where Palestinian civilians had been killed in the fighting.

AIJAC conveys our deepest condolences to the family and many friends of Senator Molan, a great Australian who will be sorely missed.
Dr Colin Rubenstein, Executive Director, AIJAC

RELATED ARTICLES


A room in Herod the Great's palace near Jericho (image: Flickr/Ian Scott)

Is UNESCO Going to Erase Jewish History From Another Israeli City?

Sep 11, 2023 | Featured, Fresh AIR, In the media
Iran Protests (52383779726)

Australia must do more about Iran

Aug 25, 2023 | Featured, Fresh AIR, In the media
Image: Shutterstock

Australia’s government has taken an anti-Israel stance

Aug 16, 2023 | Featured, In the media
Image: Shutterstock

Labor’s Israel shift is a blow to peace and our credibility

Aug 15, 2023 | Featured, In the media
Image: Shutterstock

Ill-conceived posturing on Palestine is undermining Australia’s reputation as a trusted peace broker

Aug 14, 2023 | Featured, In the media
Israel and Palestinian territory divided by the security wall (Image: Shutterstock)

Australia’s Middle East decision ill-conceived

Aug 10, 2023 | Featured, In the media

SIGN UP FOR AIJAC EMAILS

RECENT POSTS

Israeli tanks in the Sinai Desert, 1973 (Image: Public domain)

From 1973 to Israel’s next war

Image001

The Last Word: Jeremy Jones – In Memoriam

Clinton appreciated Netanyahu’s political skills, but the two were divided over some key policy issues, leading to a tense relationship (Image: Shutterstock)

Essay: Bibi’s seven presidents

Destined to be an iconic landmark: The new National Library of Israel (Image: Herzog & De Meuron/ National Library of Israel/ Twitter)

Biblio File: Unique monument for the “People of the Book”

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah (Image: Shutterstock)

Deconstruction Zone: US outreach vs. Iranian aggression

Israeli tanks in the Sinai Desert, 1973 (Image: Public domain)

From 1973 to Israel’s next war

Image001

The Last Word: Jeremy Jones – In Memoriam

Clinton appreciated Netanyahu’s political skills, but the two were divided over some key policy issues, leading to a tense relationship (Image: Shutterstock)

Essay: Bibi’s seven presidents

Destined to be an iconic landmark: The new National Library of Israel (Image: Herzog & De Meuron/ National Library of Israel/ Twitter)

Biblio File: Unique monument for the “People of the Book”

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah (Image: Shutterstock)

Deconstruction Zone: US outreach vs. Iranian aggression

SORT BY TOPICS