While the world was watching the heart wrenching scenes of the emancipated hostages being released from the Gaza tunnels, a highly respected group of our Australian politicians prepared for the re-launch of the Israel Allies Caucus – Australia. Thirty-five members of our parliament, having joining this Caucus, commit to taking action in their electorates to speak up against antisemitism, to promote acceptance and tolerance for all Australians and to stand with Israel in the Parliament.
The Israel Allies Caucus – Australia is linked internationally with fifty-one nations who together encourage faith-based diplomacy and support for Israel by working with Josh Reinstein, the Director of the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus in Israel.
The Chairman of the Australian Israel Allies Caucus, the Hon Andrew Wallace MP, Member for Fisher, opened the re-launch with an authoritative tone worthy of confronting the rise of antisemitism in Australia. A man of integrity who not only visited the devastated kibbutzim in the Gaza envelope, voluntarily watched the forty-minute video of the graphically explicit murderous and inhumane acts of barbarism inflicted on the Israeli residents by the Hamas terrorists.
These memories, still haunting his spirit today, are felt in his passion for Israel as he gathers to action men and women of valour committed to supporting Israel and our Australian Jewish communities. Andrew Wallace MP acknowledged the contributions of former MP the Hon Michael Danby and Dr Mick Kelly AM, former MP and member of Labour Friends of Israel, the Hon Senator David Fawcett, Senator James Patterson, who represents the next generation leadership, State MP Michael Ferguson and the Leader of the Opposition the Hon Peter Dutton. He also welcomed His Excellency Mr Amir Maimon, Ambassador of the State of Israel to Australia to the meeting. (See photo above).
Many Jewish and Christian generals of commerce, industry and faith stand with the IACA in championing the eradication of antisemitism in their spheres of influence. At the same time the Israel Allies Foundation Australia (IAFA) was also launched at this event with a mandate to provide direct support to the Caucus. The mission of IAFA was articulated by Rabbi Isaac Riesenberg, Founding Rabbi of Central Shule, and Mr John Lockwood Chairman of the Southern Cross Alliance For Israel (SCAFI).
Rabbi Isaac said “Like many people, after seeing the events of 7 October, I thought the world would now clearly see, what evil Israel must deal with on a day-to- day basis. Yet I was astounded when the opposite occurred. Before the IDF even initiated any actions in Gaza, there was, not only celebration around the world but condemnation of Israel.”The Re-Launch of the Israel Allies Caucus
These months in the aftermath of 7 October have proven to be difficult days for Israel and the Jewish people with an unprecedented onslaught of anti-Zionism and antisemitism in the media, public arena, and academia. I felt more had to be done, so together with other good people we established the Israel Allies Foundation.”
The purpose of the Foundation is to support the Caucus in providing advocacy for Israel, to educate, to build coalitions and provide laws to stop the scourge of antisemitism, and to foster our shared foundational biblical Judeo-Christian values upon which this great country Australia was founded.
The IAFA membership includes representatives from both Christian and Jewish peak organisations. These men and women will work to achieve this change through supporting educational visits to Israel, hosting community events, releasing media statements, fostering change through the legal system, and impacting educational change on the founding of Israel and the Jewish people’s historical and biblical right to the Land.
In the subsequent press conference, MP Andrew noted the importance of Australian State and Federal
Parliamentarians coming together to support Israel and the Jewish communities in their respective states and electorates. “It is time for all Australians of good conscience to lay aside opinions and prejudices and act now to form friendships, alliances and corporate agreements for social cohesion in a combined effort to defeat the increase in social destruction”.
Our cry to the ordinary Australian and especially Christians and Jews is to take action together. Now. All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of one candle.
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