Israel’s 78th anniversary marked with bipartisan support in Melbourne
On Wednesday night, Victorian Jewish community leaders and state members of parliament celebrated the 78th anniversary of Israel’s independence at the Sofitel in Melbourne.
The event also aimed to recognise the enduring relationship between the State of Victoria and the State of Israel.
The event was co-hosted by Zionism Victoria, the Zionist Federation of Victoria, the Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV) and the Executive Council of Australian Jewry. The key guests and speakers included Premier Jacinta Allan MP, Leader of the State Opposition Jess Wilson MP and Ambassador of Israel Dr Hillel Newman.
Supporters gather at the Yom Ha’atzma’ut cocktail reception in Melbourne (photo: David Marlow)
Other guests included politicians and leaders from Jewish religious and secular community organisations, youth groups, Victoria Police, local government councillors, consular officials from various countries and the Victorian Multicultural Commission.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allen (photo: David Marlow)
Elyse Schachna, President of Zionism Victoria, related the “remarkable story of Israel”, noting the global contribution of such a small country. She said Israel was an innovator and pioneer in many areas, well beyond its size.
Schachna welcomed the bipartisan support for Israel in the room, thanked the leaders of both major parties and invited all people to visit Israel to see it for themselves. She also spoke about Israel being a democratic state with a wide diversity of opinions.
Premier Jacinta Allan proposed a toast to the State of Israel. She spoke about the problems of antisemitism and the Royal Commission and welcomed the 16,000 submissions.
Allan also discussed the terrible events of October 7, the Bondi massacre and the Adass firebombing. She mentioned actions the Victorian government had already taken, or was taking, to address antisemitism and welcomed the recent visit of the President of Israel.
The Premier announced new partnerships between Australian and Israeli hospitals, including Sheba Medical Centre, so they could learn from each other.
Allan said: “Young people should not judge Israel for the actions of its government.”
Philip Zajac, president of JCCV, noted that it was six months since Bondi and outlined the range of communities and faith groups that had reached out to JCCV after the massacre, including the Chinese, Baha’i, Somali and Turkish communities.
Israeli ambassador Hillel Newman
Zajac said, “We don’t want to have to have bigger walls and more armed guards,” but added that he had “hope and optimism for the future.”
Jess Wilson, Leader of the Opposition, said she was looking forward to visiting Israel again and that Israel would always have the right to exist. She said anti-Zionism was being used as code for antisemitism and that everyone was tired of normalised antisemitism. Wilson said the community was sick of government inaction and that community safety was required for the community to thrive. She closed with “Am Yisrael Chai” to enthusiastic applause.
Israeli Ambassador Dr Hillel Newman said everyone present was part of the miracle of Israel. He announced an IsraAID project for safe drinking water and expressed his hope that more Muslim countries would join the Abraham Accords. Newman reminded those present that when war broke out, Israel had to arrange rescue flights. These were rescue flights of its citizens to Israel, not from Israel.
The ambassador said, “I served in two Muslim countries but did not see the hatred I see in Australia.”
The evening closed with Hatikvah and the prayer for the State of Israel.
