AIJAC is very proud of the official role played by our National Chairman Mark Leibler AC in the two major public functions featured during Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s official state visit – the first by a sitting Israeli PM – last month. 

First, Mark was selected by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s office to be the MC at the luncheon with business leaders that Mr Turnbull organised for Mr Netanyahu in Sydney on Feb. 22.

AIJAC National Chairman Mark Leibler AC with Prime Minister Turnbull and Prime Minister Netanyahu in Sydney

Furthermore, Mark was also asked to welcome Mr Netanyahu at that night’s Sydney Jewish community function for Mr Netanyahu at the Central Synagogue, with Mr Turnbull in attendance:

AIJAC also was featured extensively in the Australian and Israeli media in connection with the visit:

Australian (Feb. 13)
Colin Rubenstein op-ed on moving embassy to Jerusalem, Israel’s capital
https://aijac.org.au/news/article/end-the-madness-over-jerusalem

Australian Financial Review (Feb. 15)
Mark Leibler op-ed on calls for Australian recognition of Palestinian state
https://aijac.org.au/news/article/bob-hawke-is-wrong-recognising-palestine-would-j

Dominion Post (Feb. 15)
NZ academic Dov Bing and Colin Rubenstein op-ed critical of New Zealand backing of UN Security Council Resolution 2334
https://aijac.org.au/news/article/un-resolution-2334-only-damages-peace-prospects

ABC website (Feb. 17)
Colin Rubenstein quoted criticising Kevin Rudd’s call for recognition of a Palestinian state
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-17/kevin-rudd-calls-for-australia-to-formally-recognise-palestine/8281708

ABC TV News24 “Breakfast” (Feb. 20)
Jamie Hyams discusses Netanyahu’s visit and obstacles to a peace deal
http://www.youtube.com/v/WItaDCLFgsg&rel=0&autoplay=1

ABC Radio National “Breakfast” (Feb. 20)
Colin Rubenstein interviewed on Netanyahu visit and settlements
http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/breakfast/dr-colin-rubinstein-on-israeli-settlements-and-trump/8285196

ABC TV “7.30” (Feb. 21)
Colin Rubenstein interviewed on Netanyahu visit and recognition
http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2017/s4623970.htm

SBS TV “World News” (Feb. 21)
Colin Rubenstein interviewed on Netanyahu visit
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2017/02/21/historic-netanyahu-visit-views-jewish-australians

SBS Radio “World News” (Feb. 22)
Colin Rubenstein interviewed on Netanyahu visit
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2017/02/22/israeli-pm-australia-official-visit

Sky News (Feb. 22)
Colin Rubenstein interviewed by Chris Kenny on Netanyahu visit
https://aijac.org.au/news/article/video-dr-colin-rubenstein-on-netanyahu-visit-to-

Daily Telegraph (Feb. 22)
Colin Rubenstein op-ed on Australia-Israel ties
https://aijac.org.au/news/article/bibi-s-visit-and-the-ties-that-bind

ABC TV News24 “The Drum” (Feb.22)
Jamie Hyams interviewed on Netanyahu visit, recognition, settlements
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-22/the-drum-wednesday-february-22/8294756

Kol Israel Radio (Feb. 23)
Jeremy Jones interviewed about Netanyahu visit
No link available

JNS.org (Feb.22)
Jeremy Jones quoted on Netanyahu visit
http://www.jns.org/latest-articles/2017/2/24/netanyahus-australia-visit-sunny-outlook-on-bilateral-ties-cloudy-picture-on-two-states

Canberra Times (Feb. 26)
Colin Rubenstein & Jamie Hyams op-ed on settlements, recognition and statehood
https://aijac.org.au/news/article/an-israeli-palestinian-peace-requires-the-right-

Australian Jewish News and the Jerusalem Post (March 3)
Mark Leibler op-ed on Australia-Israel ties
https://aijac.org.au/news/article/australia-has-been-a-good-friend-to-israel