During a mock election in which they learned the basic process of Israel’s elections, Netzer’s Melbourne junior campers in Grade 5 elected Yesh Atid party head Yair Lapid as Prime Minister of Israel.
"The greatest threat to Israel's military survival isn't Iran or the Palestinians – no, it's Israel's own internal identity struggle" said Major General (Res.) Elazar Stern.
They came to Israel out of both curiosity and love. For most of them, their love has only increased as they have known Israel through multiple experiences by volunteering, studying, learning, meeting new people, talking Hebrew, eating, and, for 58 young Australians, becoming advocates to speak in support of Israel in a world that many many fear is becoming increasingly vitriolic toward the Jewish homeland.
Avoiding the backlash from the Global Financial Crisis, Israel's government is encouraging investment in East Asia and plans to work with Australia on joint investments, according to Shalom Simhon, Israel's Minister of Industry, Trade and Labour.
The final group of this summer's Taglit Birthright Israel program left Australia last week for Israel, completing one of the most successful years of the Australian Israel short term experience.
