Since World War I, Australia has shared a warm and close relationship with Israel, underpinned by a strong historical foundation. The iconic charge of the Australian Light Horse during the Battle of Beersheba was, in the words of Benjamin Netanyahu, instrumental in enabling the Jewish people to “re-enter the stage of history.”
On the legal stage, a pivotal moment occurred when Dr HV Evatt, Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for External Affairs, guided the delicate process that led to Israel becoming a member state of the United Nations. Former Israeli Foreign Minister Abba Eban acknowledged Dr Evatt’s contribution to the international recognition of Israel, stating, “It was under your competent and determined chairmanship that Australia was the first country to vote in favour of the 1947 UN partition resolution, which ultimately led to the creation of Israel as a nation state.”
Australia established diplomatic relations with Israel in 1949 and, in the same year, presided over the vote admitting Israel to the United Nations.
The UK’s Opposition to Israel’s Statehood
Dr Evatt fought vigorously against attempts, particularly from the United Kingdom, to reverse the decision to recognise Israel as a state and instead impose a UN trusteeship. Imagine where that resolution would have left Israel, especially given the UN’s current disposition towards it.
A Labour Prime Minister’s Support for Israel
In January 1987, Prime Minister Bob Hawke became the first serving Australian Prime Minister to visit Israel. Hawke had a deep personal commitment to Israel and Jewish affairs. In 1986, he introduced a motion in the Australian Parliament deploring the 1975 UN resolution equating Zionism with racism and called for its rescission.
Bipartisan Support for Israel
Prior to the current Labour government, there was strong bipartisan support for Israel. Under the Liberal government of Tony Abbott, a staunch supporter of Israel, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop opposed unbalanced UN resolutions that “singled out Israel for criticism while ignoring broader issues in the region.”
People-to-People Connections
Australia’s vibrant Jewish community, numbering about 99,950 (2021 census), has been a cornerstone of the relationship with Israel. Prominent Australian Jews, such as Frank Lowy, John Monash, Zelman Cowen, and Sidney Myer, have made immense contributions to Australia’s prosperity and cultural richness.
Economic Benefits of the Relationship
Australia’s investment in Israel totalled over $1.7 billion, while Israeli investment in Australia exceeded $5.5 billion, largely in the innovation sector. Major Australian exports to Israel include live animals, rice, and beef. As of November 2023, 18 Israeli companies were listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX), making Israel the third-largest source of foreign company listings.
This shared history with a nation whose forebears laid the foundations of Western civilization is now being white-anted by the current government, placing the relationship in grave danger.
Australia Turning Its Back on a Besieged Ally
In a letter of protest to Senator Penny Wong, Beersheba Vision stated, “You are out of step with mainstream Australia and in step with the enemies of democracy.”
The Australian was equally strong in its condemnation, “The Foreign Minister’s speech at the United Nations was monumentally divorced from reality and morally indefensible in its treatment of Israel. It was unworthy of her and unworthy of Australia.”
The Zionist Federation of Australia’s President, Jeremy Leibler, aptly summarised the situation, stating that “this policy shift represented a betrayal of Israel—Australia’s ally and the only democracy in the Middle East—at a time when it was engaged in an existential, multi-front war against Iran and its proxies.”
“Obviously, I have concerns for Israel’s wellbeing, but if we continue down this path, I have greater fears for Australia.”
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