By gdebinski | Published 5 December 2013

John Kerry touches down in Israel…and he has a ‘plan for peace.’

05 December 2013

By Gabsy Debinski

US Secretary of State John Kerry has visited Israel numerous times since commencing his term in February this year. His current touchdown in Israel, however, is the most significant and loaded. Indeed, it signifies that Israel is very much at a crucial crossroads, the full magnitude of which perhaps we will only be able to appreciate retrospectively, in years to come.

Firstly, it is Secretary Kerry’s first visit to Israel since the US driven P5+1 deal was struck with Iran; a nuclear plan that was vehemently opposed by Israel and put a huge strain on the wobbly US-Israel alliance.

But more pertinent than this even is that Secretary Kerry is expected to bring with him a US plan for security arrangements in the West Bank. In the setting of the resumption of peace-negotiations (which is about four and a half months into the allotted ninth month timeframe) this is unprecedented. It is the first time in years that the Americans have formulated a peace proposal on home soil, with no involvement from Israel or the Palestinians and said “here, take it.” Continue reading »

Posted in Advocacy Updates, Advocacy Updates, Blog, Israel news summaries, News, Newsletters | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off
By gdebinski | Published 28 November 2013

A dummies guide to the Iranian nuclear deal

28 November 2013

By Gabsy Debinski

Coverage of the Iranian nuclear deal has abounded. It has also been dense and for the lay man or woman awfully confusing. For many the technical jargon of physics and biochemistry has distorted the true nature of the issue. What has emerged as crystal, however, is that Prime Minister Netanyahu is emphatically opposed, labelling the deal “not a historic agreement but a historic mistake.”
So what’s the deal all about and why the hysteria from Israel? Consider this a ‘dummies guide’ to the Geneva-deal and its vast implications for Israel.

In short, the US led P5+1 (UK, China, France, Russia, Germany) negotiated a deal with the Iranian government for a six-month interim period. In this agreement Iran must ‘freeze’ its nuclear enrichment programme and in return will receive approximately $7 billion in economic sanction relief. Essentially, the reprieve from economic sanctions is to come into effect before Iran has started to comply with its international legal obligations. Continue reading »

Posted in Advocacy Updates, Advocacy Updates, Blog, Israel news summaries, News, Newsletters | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off
By gdebinski | Published 27 November 2013

Statement From ZFA President, Philip Chester, on the Iranian nuclear deal

27 November 2013

While we note the positive responses of the 5+1 to the Iranian nuclear deal we remain very concerned about its terms.

The ZFA notes the view of the Israeli government that a flawed deal is one in which Iran isn’t forced to halt its nuclear program by shutting down facilities, but only ‘slow down’ its nuclear development.

More than any other country Israel is on the front-line, subject to constant threats from Iran which avows to Israel’s destruction. It is for this reason that we believe the fears of the Israeli government need to be given serious weight by the international community. Prime Minister Netanyahu aptly expressed distress at Tehran’s bragging that the six month deal acknowledges its “right” to enrich uranium. This deal granting Iran US $7 billion in sanction relief before it has started to comply with its international legal obligations can have catastrophic implications for Israel, the Middle East and beyond.

The real concern with this agreement is if it simply allows Iran to buy time in its development of a deadly weapon.

Posted in News, Official Statements | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off
By gdebinski | Published 21 November 2013

Hamas’ school curriculum; one, two, three, war.

21 November 2013

By Gabsy Debinski

The lessons we are taught at school as children stay with us for life. They are the ideas that inform the people we will become and the values that will define us as adults. While it may be possible to reverse the beliefs instilled in youth, it is hard. Sometimes even impossible.

School education is crucial and the huge responsibility given to teachers and educators cannot be overemphasized. Students are like putty in the hand, they will be shaped however they are moulded.

Recently, the Hamas leadership in Gaza announced a change to the high school curriculum, to be taught to over 55,000 students in years 8, 9 and 10.

This means that for the first time since taking control of the Gaza strip in 2007, Hamas is deviating from the PA sponsored ‘national curriculum’ as part of its push to further its radical, anti-Zionist ideology. Most significant is the change of textbooks for a subject called “patriotic education,” which according to the book author, Abu-Hashem, aims to emphasize “the Palestinian armed struggle with Israel.” Continue reading »

Posted in Advocacy Updates, Advocacy Updates, Blog, Israel news summaries, News, Newsletters | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off
By gdebinski | Published 14 November 2013

While he was sleeping…

14 November 2013

By Gabsy Debinski

We went to sleep last night with the sad knowledge that an 18-year old Israeli soldier, Eden Atias, had been stabbed by a Palestinian youth while he slept on a bus stopped at Afula’s central bus station. Atias was on his way home to Nazareth Ilit having only enlisted in the army two weeks ago. He was still in basic training.

I awoke this morning to a text from my sister sharing the tragic news that Atias had succumbed to his injuries in hospital and died.

Instinctively, I jumped on the web to glean any information on the tragic event. I didn’t intend to write about it, having prepared other issues to discuss in light of what has been a very trying week for the Israeli government. However, the media’s shameful response to this act of terror compelled me to pursue it further. Continue reading »

Posted in Advocacy Updates, Advocacy Updates, Blog, Israel news summaries, News, Newsletters | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off
By gdebinski | Published 7 November 2013

Israel facing hate in the sporting arena and winning

7 November 2013

By Gabsy Debinski

Sport is supposed to transcend politics. International sporting competitions aim to bring talented people together in an atmosphere of mutual respect, tolerance and fierce competition. For the most part, this is the way it has always played out.

A recent spate of prejudice and intolerance has leaked into the sporting world seeking to undermine the very essence of good sportsmanship. Unsurprisingly, Israeli athletes have been the victims of such hate. Continue reading »

Posted in Advocacy Updates, Advocacy Updates, Blog, Israel news summaries, News, Newsletters | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off
By gdebinski | Published 24 October 2013

Is the Palestinian prisoner release set for round 2?

24 October 2013

By Gabsy Debinski

Reports have been circulating that next week the Israeli government will release the second round of Palestinian prisoners; a precondition attached to the renewal of peace talks. The Prime Minister’s office has declined to confirm the exact date.

The release of the first twenty-six pre-Oslo prisoners on August 13 polarized Israeli society. You can read my summation of this juncture here.

US Secretary of State, John Kerry, negotiated that in total 104 pre-Oslo Palestinian prisoners were to be released by Israel as a ‘good will gesture’ to kick off negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians. Now as the Israeli leadership prepares for the next round of releases it seems apt to reflect on the current political landscape, and what progress, if any, has been made. Continue reading »

Posted in Advocacy Updates, Advocacy Updates, Blog, Israel news summaries, News, Newsletters | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off
By gdebinski | Published 17 October 2013

Hamas’ terror tunnel; for Israel it’s a catch-22.

17 October 2013

By Gabsy Debinski

This week Israel made public its discovery of an underground terror tunnel leading from Gaza into Israel, before blowing it up on Tuesday.

Built by Hamas, the tunnel lead from Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, into Kibbutz Ein Hashlosha in the western Negev. Officials believe that the tunnel, complete with an electricity supply and phone line, took over a year to construct.

For years the building of underground terror tunnels for the kidnapping of Israeli soldiers and smuggling of explosives has been an archetypal Hamas tactic. The most ‘successful’ of these resulted in the kidnapping of IDF soldier Gilad Shalit in 2006.

Continue reading »

Posted in Advocacy Updates, Advocacy Updates, Blog, Israel news summaries, News, Newsletters | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off
By ZFA Webmaster | Published 16 October 2013

ZFA passes resolution on religious pluralism in Israel

October 11, 2013

On October 8, after much discussion, the Zionist Federation of Australia passed the following resolution at its Executive Meeting, at which affiliates across Australia were present.

“We believe that Israel’s Declaration of Independence is an inspirational document that describes the aspirations and hopes of a democratic and inclusive people.  Further, we believe that there is still work to be done in implementing those aspirations and hopes.

In that spirit and recognising that Jewish practice has many forms of expression including multiple streams of Orthodoxy, Progressive (Reform) and Conservative (Masorti), The Zionist Federation of Australia respectfully requests the Government of Israel to move as quickly as is practicable to provide full recognition and equitable support for all streams of Jewish practice.”

The Zionist Federation of Australia (ZFA) is the national roof body of all Zionist organisations and activity in this country. ZFA affiliates span the breadth of political and religious streams, as well as organisations dedicated to fundraising for Israel, engagement with youth, women’s groups and cultural and sporting organisations.

ZFA president Philip Chester said: “The Zionist Federation of Australia as the representative of the World Zionist Organisation (WZO) encompasses Zionists from all Jewish religious streams and the full spectrum of Zionist political thought. We are intensely proud of our well-deserved international reputation as a strongly Zionist community and of the breadth and depth of Zionist affiliation and activity in Australia. This resolution is consistent with our broad representative role.”

Steve Denenberg, who proposed the resolution said: “”ARZA is delighted by the support of the ZFA and its membership for this resolution. We are delighted that Australia is taking the lead in calling for Israel to truly become the home for all Jews, and acknowledging that there are many, equally authentic, ways of expressing our Judaism.”

For more information please contact Executive Director, Ginette Searle at gsearle@zfa.com.au or 9272 5644.

Posted in Affiliate News, Aussies in Israel, News, ZFA News | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off
By gdebinski | Published 10 October 2013

A week of success stories

10 October 2013

By Gabsy Debinski

Those of you who follow the communal press would have seen the debate that arose as a result of my advocacy update on the J Street conference last week. Without wanting to rehash this territory, I am posting a link to my response in conjunction with the ZFA here.

In the context of discussing Israel, dialogue often focuses on politics and the conflict. In doing so we often fail to stop and acknowledge Israel’s social and cultural innovations that equally contribute to the country’s vibrant fabric. This week Israel’s vast achievements have been displayed on the world stage.

First, it has been a week of outstanding achievement for Israel with three Jewish professors, two of whom are Israeli citizens, sharing the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Continue reading »

Posted in Advocacy Updates, Advocacy Updates, Blog, Israel news summaries, News, Newsletters | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off