Sunshine State attracts impressive line-up of speakers

 Email this story

Print

1 Comment

Brisbane recently hosted two internationally respected visitors – both highly revered in their respective fields.

Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive officer Alex Ryvchin was the guest speaker for the recent Parliamentary of Friends of Israel function at Queensland’s Parliament House. This was the first public engagement for the release of Alex’s latest book, Zionism: The Concise History.

Alex Ryvchin

The event was attended by those on both sides of the political aisle. This included Friends of Israel founder Steve Minnikin, Member for Chatsworth and Shadow Minister for Transport and Main Roads; Member for Logan and co-chair of Friends of Israel Linus Power; Hon Sterling Hinchliffe, Member for Sandgate and Minister for Local Government, Minister for Racing and Minister for Multicultural Affairs; Hon Cameron Dick, Member for Woodridge and Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning; as well as other Queensland Members of Parliament.

The following night counter-terrorist expert Prof Boaz Ganor, who came to Brisbane courtesy of the

Boaz Ganor

Australian/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC), spoke to a very engaged Brisbane audience. Prof Ganor is founder and director of the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism, Ronald Lauder Chair for Counter-Terrorism, Interdisciplinary Centre in Israel.

Boaz shared his concerns over the current development in the Middle East in reference to the changing powers, the growing Iranian-Shiite hegemony, and growing Russian influence on the account of the United States of America. He analysed the negative outcomes due to the American isolationist foreign policy, and the growing terrorist and security threats to Israel.

Jeremy Jones, AIJAC Director of International and Community Affairs, also entertained with light-hearted recounts of his travel vignettes, and insightful thoughts of current affairs.

Report from Libby Burke