Jewish Online News from Australia and New Zealand
The Zionist Council of Victoria fosters a deep connection between the Melbourne Jewish Community and Israel. As the roof body of an intensely Zionist community, the Zionist Council of Victoria enables exploration of expressions of Zionism.
August 21, 2011 by zzz
The Federal Government has condemned the attacks in Southern Israel.
The following statement was issued by acting Foreign Minister Craig Emerson.
The Australian Government condemns in the strongest possible terms the terrorist attacks in southern Israel on 18 August.
These deplorable acts of violence have claimed innocent civilian lives, and undermine efforts towards peace and security in the region. They are indefensible.
Initial reports indicate that attacks by gunmen on an Israel bus near the Israel-Egypt border, and subsequent attacks on two other vehicles, have resulted in the loss of at least six lives.
“The Australian Government stands with the people of Israel against these brutal actions and calls for those responsible to be brought to justice,” said Acting Foreign Minister Dr Craig Emerson.
The Australian Government’s deepest condolences go to the families and friends of those killed and our hopes are with the injured for a full recovery.
Zionist Council of Victoria president Sam Tatarka has expressed sorrow and outrage at the news of the 8 Israelis killed and more than 40 wounded by terrorists in 4 coordinated attacks in southern Israel on Thursday.
Sam Tatarka
Mr Tatarka said that the Jewish and Zionist community stand in solidarity with the people and government of Israel at this difficult time as Israel once again deals with the grief and heartbreak of identifying and burying the victims of fanatical Islamist terror.
“Israelis including families and children travelling to and from the holiday destination of Eilat were attacked with guns, roadside bombs and anti-tank missiles on an open road. Soldiers and police responding to the incidents were also attacked. 8 people are now dead and many more injured some seriously. As a community, we abhor and oppose terrorism and terrorists. We convey our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those killed and injured and offer them our prayers and support. The names of all of the victims have not been released however it is known that St-Sgt Moshe Naftali, 22, of Ofra, a combat soldier from the Golani Brigade and Senior police officer Paskal Avrahami, 49 of Jerusalem, a father of three and member of Israel’s counter-terrorism unit were both killed in the aftermath of the attacks” Mr Tatarka said.
“The fact that the Hamas regime which rules the Gaza Strip and recently resumed relations with the Palestinian Authority, has praised the attack and welcomed the deaths of Israeli civilians is not surprising, given that Hamas and its splinter groups continue to fire rockets, missiles and mortars on Israel’s southern communities of Sderot, Beer Sheva and Ashkelon on a daily basis. Instability in bordering Egypt has allowed the Sinai Peninsula to become a breeding ground for terror groups whose access to Israel is now easier thus enabling deadly attacks such as those we saw yesterday” Tatarka said.
“As reports of the Palestinian Authority seeking UN endorsement of a State on September 20 intensify, the international community must reflect on the very real risk of extremism and violence that a future Palestinian state might bring. Israel cannot and should not be expected to accept a terror state on its doorstep. Clearly Israeli lives are at risk” Mr Tatarka said.
May 4, 2011 by admin
Gala show “L’Chayim Israel” at St Kilda Town Hall…
May 4, 2011 by admin
Celebrate Yom Ha’azmaut with the ZCV…
May 4, 2011 by admin
Commemorate Israel’s fallen…both in the IDF and as victims of terror…
May 18, 2010 by Agencies
Former Ambassador Yoram Ettinger had little spare time on his speaking tour to Melbourne as the guest of the Zionist Council of Victoria last week.
Yoram Ettinger
During his short stay here, he undertook 10 formal speaking engagements with a range of audiences from within and beyond the Jewish community. He was also interviewed by media, both by newspaper journalists and on TV on ABC’s News breakfast program.
Ettinger’s scope of discussion topics is broad and he addressed issues as diverse as Israel’s High Tech industry and the Israeli economy, the Israel/ US relationship and the issues of demographics in Israel and the Palestinian territories. He was the keynote speaker at the Yom Yerushalayim Oration on Wednesday 12 May, speaking on “Jerusalem, Washington and the Obama Factor”. His in depth knowledge of the history of the relationship, and his incisive analysis of the situation were impressive and the intense question and answer session which followed his presentation demonstrated how successfully he had engaged the audience.
Ambassador Ettinger’s Melbourne program summary appears below:
12 May – VIP luncheon – “The Palestinian Demographic Threat – Myth vs Reality”
12 May – ZCV Yom Yerushalayim Oration – “Jerusalem, Washington and the Obama Factor”
13 May – Mt Scopus Memorial College – presentation to senior students
13 May – Politicians Luncheon – “Israel’s High Tech Industry and Investment”
14 May – TV interview – ABC News Breakfast
14 May – ZCV Israel Advocacy workshop
14 May – Leibler Yavneh College – senior students (2 groups)
14 May – Presentation at Caulfield Hebrew Congregation pre Kabbalat Shabbat service
15 May – presentation at Yom Yerushalayim Kiddush – Mizrachi
15 May – presentation at Mizrachi Seudah Shlishit
Ettinger’s presentation on demography has been added to the ZCV website, and we encourage community members to read it and add their comments to the site.
