AIPAC 2014: Obama vs Netanyahu Face-off…writes Gabsy Debinski

March 7, 2014 by  

What a whirlwind of a week it has been. Read more

The Best answer to Israel Apartheid Week? IDF Diversity Week…writes Gabsy Debinski

February 27, 2014 by  

It’s a showdown. Israel Apartheid Week vs IDF Diversity Week; the irony is palpable. Read more

NYT Article: Conflict of Faith or Conflict of Interest?…asks Gabsy Debinski

February 21, 2014 by  

I see this weekly update as having a dual purpose. The first; to enhance community members’ understanding and insight into issues they have probably already heard or read about. The second; to inform our community of Israel related issues or commentary they may not necessarily have encountered. Read more

The fine line between constructive and contemptible…writes Gabsy Debinski

February 7, 2014 by  

It all started last Saturday against a bright blue backdrop in a room filled with diplomats and reporters. Read more

Internal dissent not doing the government any good…writes Gabsy Debinski

January 30, 2014 by  

There is an old adage that resonates with many Jewish mothers; “you don’t air your dirty laundry in public.” Read more

Julie and Julia standing up for Israel…writes Gabsy Debinski

January 22, 2014 by  

The last week has proved more than any that we are fortunate to live in a country like Australia. And for us women, there has never been a time to be more proud to be a member of the Zionist sisterhood. Read more

Remembering Ariel Sharon from afar

January 17, 2014 by  

The death of Ariel Sharon z”l marked the end of an era…writes Gabsy Debinski. Read more

Habayit: Melbourne home of Hebrew and Israeli culture

December 10, 2013 by  

“Habayit’s” ‘Chanukat Habayit’ (house warming)has been  held at the Beth Weizmann Community Centre welcoming families from the Israeli and local Jewish Communities to celebrate the new centre for Hebrew and Israeli culture in Melbourne. Read more

A Dummies’ Guide to the Iranian Nuclear Deal…from Gabsy Debinski

November 28, 2013 by  

Coverage of the Iranian nuclear deal has abounded. Read more

Hamas’ school curriculum: one, two, three, war…writes Gabsy Debinsky

November 22, 2013 by  

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.   Read more

While he was Sleeping….writes Gabsy Debinski

November 14, 2013 by  

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. Read more

Israel winning in hate sporting arena

November 7, 2013 by  

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. Read more

Yitzhak Rabin 18 years on: have we gone full circle?…asks Gabsy Debinsky

November 1, 2013 by  

Next Monday will mark the 18th anniversary of the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin. Read more

Is the Palestinian Prisoner Release Set for Round 2?

October 25, 2013 by  

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…writes Gabsy Debinski. Read more

Hamas’s Terror Tunnel: for Israel it’s Catch-22…writes Gabsy Debinsky

October 17, 2013 by  

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

A Week of Success Stories…writes Gabsy Debinski

October 10, 2013 by  

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. Read more

ZFA states its case

October 10, 2013 by  

Recently, there have been some accusations flying around about the ZFA, stemming from an advocacy update published last week, and it seems apt to respond. Read more

The J-Street Crowd and its idiosynchrasies…write Gabsy Debinski

October 3, 2013 by  

“Peace and security. Nobody should choose between peace and security. The State of Israel doesn’t need to choose between peace and security…. As I’m fighting for peace – and there is a political price for it – in the negotiations room, I’m fighting also for Israel’s security. And I’m here today in order to ask you, this special audience, those who are fighting for peace: In your quest for peace don’t abandon Israel’s security needs.”…Tzipi Livni. Read more

Steering clear of terrorism talk…writes Gabsy Debinski

September 25, 2013 by  

The world has been rocked by tragedy over the past week.   Read more

Two State Clarification…by Gabsy Debinski

September 18, 2013 by  

I was horrified this week to come across a piece titled ‘Two-State Illusion’ which appeared on the front page of the New York Times Opinion Page last Sunday. Read more

The ANU Conference on Human Rights in Palestine – an Academic Farce

September 13, 2013 by  

The ‘Conference on Human Rights in Palestine’ is currently being hosted and sponsored by the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra. Read more

5773: That was the year that was…writes Gabsy Debinski

September 4, 2013 by  

As always when it comes to Israel, and the Jewish world, the past year has been bitter-sweet; marked by both pain and celebration. Currently, Israel stands as a beacon of light in a region plagued by destruction and bloodshed. Read more

If we don’t stand up for Israel, who will?….asks Gabsy Debinski

August 30, 2013 by  

Over the past few months, tempers have flared and debates have gotten feisty between various Zionist organizations within our own community. Read more

Egypt and the media’s string of conspiracies

August 23, 2013 by  

Israel is no stranger to conspiracy theories. Over the years it has been at the centre of some beauties…writes Gabsy Debinski. Read more

The Palestinian Prisoner Release and its Shades of Grey

August 16, 2013 by  

This week, I planned to write something a little more upbeat and uplifting. It seemed overdue. But then the release of twenty-six Palestinian prisoners to Gaza and the West Bank warranted some deep reflection and analysis…writes Gabsy Debinski. Read more

Palestinian/Israeli core issues unpacked

August 9, 2013 by  

When it comes to discussing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the renewal of peace talks, it seems everyone holds an uncompromising opinion….writes Gabsy Debinski. Read more

The elusive path to the negotiating table Part 2; Israeli and Palestinian delegates head to Washington.’

August 2, 2013 by  

After a four year stalemate, the Palestinian and Israeli parties laid the groundwork to resume negotiations on the so-called “final status” issues that must be resolved to end the dispute. Amidst much hype, the first ‘peace talks’ commenced in Washington this week…writes Gabsy Debinski. Read more

The Elusive Road to the Negotiating Table…write Gabsy Debinski

July 25, 2013 by  

It has been a big few days in Israel. After an intense round of shuttle diplomacy aimed at reviving the inactive peace process, US Secretary of State, John Kerry, announced that the Israelis and Palestinians had agreed to the resumption of peace talks. Read more

The E.U. Boycott: an Unlikely Precursor to Peace Talks…write Gabsy Debinski

July 23, 2013 by  

Israel has been hit with a huge blow in the last 24 hours, with the EU issuing a directive banning its 28 members from providing funding to areas outside Israel’s pre-1967 borders.  Read more

No end in sight for an unstable Egypt…writes Gabsy Debinski

July 11, 2013 by  

Disturbing footage of the brewing violence in Egypt has proliferated in the past week. Read more

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