Yom Ha’atzmaut: hosted by the Israeli Embassy
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton joined Israel’s ambassador to Australia Amir Maiman, in addressing 350 guests at the Israeli Embassy’s Yom Ha’azmaut celebration in Canberra.
Among the guests were senior politicians and diplomats.
Richard Marles
Representing the Prime Minister, Richard Marles said the 1946 Zionist Congress in Basel was set in the background of the Holocaust saying “it became clear that the establishment of the State of Israel was not just a matter of the self-determination of people, it was a matter of global justice”.
He added: “Between 1945 and 1961, 25,000 European Jews refugees from the Holocaust came to Australia doubling the size of the Jewish community in this country. And proportionately we saw in Australia we see the second largest number of Holocaust survivors second only to Israel itself.”
He spoke about the relationship between Israel and Australia going back to the UN vote which created the modern State of Israel. He said: “Today for us, our relationship is taken to a different a new and exciting level as we see the incredible phenomenon of the startup nation which is Israel today which has an economy which is based on human capital, on science and technology.”
Gee concluded by saying: there is a special infection that has existed across a great geographic distance, without any agenda giving a certain purity to our relationship through which many Israelis see in their eyes, Australia perhaps being their best friend. It is a beautiful thought and I’m sure it is at the heart of why we are here tonight celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the State of Israel. And it’s a thought which will be the guiding light between the future relations of Australia and Israel.”
Peter Dutton quoted David Ben Gurion’s speech at the Declaration od Independence:
‘The rise of Israel opened up a new chapter not only in the history of this country but in the history of Jewry as a whole.
It straightened the back of every Jew wherever he lived.
In the course of a few years, it redeemed hundreds of thousands of Jews from poverty and degeneration in exile.
And transformed them into proud, creative Jews, the builders and defenders of their country.’
He then quoted a passage from a 1958 address which he said continues to have profound meaning.
‘The rise of Israel opened up a new chapter not only in the history of this country but in the history of Jewry as a whole.
It straightened the back of every Jew wherever he lived.
In the course of a few years, it redeemed hundreds of thousands of Jews from poverty and degeneration in exile.
And transformed them into proud, creative Jews, the builders and defenders of their country.
It poured new hope into the hearts of the helpless and muzzled Jews of the Soviet bloc.
It revealed the extraordinary capacity of Jews for accomplishment in all spheres of human creative work.
It revived Jewish heroism.
It assured every Jew who enjoys freedom of movement in the land where he lives, of the opportunity to live in his independent homeland if he chooses to do so, thus ensuring potentially, if not in practice, a life of independence for the entire Jewish people.’
Ambassador Amir Maimon and Peter Dutton
He continued by saying: “Those words capture the true spirit of an amazing people known around the world today for their aspiration and their accomplishments.
We’ve seen that same spirit in Jewish people who have migrated to and settled in our country, Australia, over many decades.
A community which we’re proud to say is now numbering about 100,000 and continues to draw on their Jewish history and faith to contribute to so much in so many fields of endeavour.
The connections between Australia and Israel are deep and abiding.
Ties began to be forged in 1917 at the Battle of Be’er-Sheva where the Australian 4th Light Horse Brigade distinguished themselves.
Then came Australia’s support in 1947 for the UN General Assembly’s resolution to partition Palestine into Arab and Jewish states.
And following the formation of the state of Israel, the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two great nations in 1949. ;
Today, Australia and Israel have a meaningful and increasingly bilateral relationship traversing trade, agriculture, technology, security and more besides.
It’s a relationship, I think, which will only grow and strengthen, built around our devotion to democracy in a world where our values and way of life faces old and new threats.”
Ambassador Aimon Amir recalled the military relationship between the two countries citing the Zion Mule Corps at Gallipoli and Light Horse Brigade charges at Be’er Sheva and Samach.
He said: “What was a fledgling nation of 640,000 people in 1948, has grown into a resilient, dynamic and prosperous country of 9,5 million. As a result, Israel is in the fortunate position that our most precious natural resource has not diminished with time, but grows richer with every passing year.”
He finished his address by saying: “I have also been humbled by the deep and strong ties that the Australian Jewish community maintains with Israel. In fact, Australia occupies a special place in the heritage of the Jewish people, since so many chose to make their homes here after fleeing persecution in Europe. Today, Australia is home to the largest number of Holocaust survivors, per capita, outside of Israel.
It is a privilege to serve in a country that hosts such a passionate, well-organised and united Jewish community.”
A highlight of the evening held at the Canberra Arboretum was the playing of Hatikvah by the band of the Royal Military College, Duntroon.
