ASHLEY BROWNE AND SHARON BERGER
AN Israeli politician’s meetings with senior government officials in Canberra last week and the installation of Israel’s new top-level ambassador to Australia are two encouraging signs of a new era of closer strategic ties between the two countries.
As Yuval Rotem presented his credentials to Governor-General Michael Jeffery at Government House in Yarralumla last Thursday, Labour MK Ephraim Sneh was talking up stronger Australian-Israeli ties.
“In spite of the huge distance, the global phenomena and threats that Israel faces are quite similar to those Australia faces, although in different ways and different dimensions,” he told the AJN in an extended interview in Melbourne.
“People are not always brave enough to stand against it.”
The former deputy defence minister met with MPs from both major political parties, as well as with key defence and foreign policy advisers.
It was Dr Sneh’s second visit to Australia in the past five years. He said he would return to Israel convinced that the Israeli-Australian friendship is not reaching its full potential.
According to Dr Sneh, the Bali bombings of 2002 were a clarion call for Australia and the Howard Government and he praised its commitment to fighting global terror and for following a path that is sometimes similar to Israel.
“There are countries which try to evade the unavoidable confrontation with evil, but in Israel, we have don’t this privilege because we are the first name on the hit list.”
While the practical implications of closer relations between Australia and Israel have yet to be outlined in detail, Dr Sneh said Israel is open to all available options.
“What I had to emphasise was the need to enhance the cooperation, but there are many ways democracies with relatively strong military capacities can work together,” he said.
Dr Sneh was confident the forthcoming federal election and a possible change of leadership would not hamper the boosting of bilateral ties between Australia and Israel.
“Thankfully, I don’t think that in Australia there is one side that loves Israel more than the other.”
Dr Sneh’s visit also coincided with the 80th anniversary of the Zionist Federation of Australia, which Rotem addressed on Sunday.
Rotem said he would spend the first three months of his tenure getting to know the Australian community.
“I am anxious to begin work with all of you. I have with me the youngest staff ever assembled at the embassy.
“I am the first Israeli ambassador to be born after the re-establishment of the State of Israel -– perhaps it is due to this that my new staff projects a refreshed sense of energy, a spirit of enthusiasm and a great desire for hard work.”
In his light-hearted address, Rotem also traded jokes about the Australian lifestyle, endearing himself to his new host community.
“Since arriving in Australia, my family and I have had to make many adjustments ... we are used to the rush and urgency of Israel and America where traffic stops for no-one. Here in Australia, traffic stops for the kangaroos,” he joked. “But this adjustment is a welcome one.”
In 2003, Rotem became the youngest diplomat in Israeli history to achieve the rank of ambassador. Now 47, he comes to Australia after several high-profile positions in the United States and at the United Nations.
