AIJAC and ECAJ congratulate Albanese
The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) and The Executive Council of Australian Jewry have extended its congratulations to Anthony Albanese on his appointment as leader of the Australian Labor Party.
Anthony Albanese
Mr Albanese, together with his deputy leader-elect Richard Marles, will have an important role to play in maintaining a cohesive and united ALP and ensuring continuity of support for causes that have been of fundamental importance to generations of Labor leaders.
These causes include the ALP’s ongoing support for a safe and secure Jewish state of Israel, and support for aspirations for a future state for the Palestinian people at peace alongside Israel.
“Historically, Israel remains an important partner with Australia, as both countries continue to build their people-to-people, trade and cultural links,” Dr Colin Rubenstein, AIJAC executive director, said.
“AIJAC trusts Mr Albanese’s stated support for Palestinian aspirations for statehood will continue in the context of ongoing, strong Australia-Israel ties and friendship.”
“There are good reasons to be hopeful that Labor’s new leadership team will continue to uphold its long-standing principles, including a balanced view of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.”
AIJAC also expresses deep gratitude for Bill Shorten’s six years of leadership.
“During his six years as Labor leader, Mr Shorten was a close friend and supporter of the Australian Jewish community and never wavered in his recognition of the deep ties shared between Australia and Israel,” Dr Rubenstein said. “We wish him the very best in the next chapter of his political career.”
The ECAJ has written to each of Anthony Albanese and Richard Marles to congratulate them on assuming the positions of Leader and Deputy Leader of the Opposition respectively. Both as individuals and as a team they bring formidable talents to their new roles.
Anthony Albanese has had a good relationship with the Jewish community, although his record on Israel has been somewhat mixed. Richard Marles’ knowledge and experience in foreign and defence policy is unsurpassed in the ALP. Despite the close, historic links between the Labor parties in the UK and Australia, we would welcome a statement from the new Federal
Opposition leadership making it clear that the ALP totally rejects the antisemitism wracking its UK counterpart, and has no intention of going down the same foreign and defence policy path as that taken by UK Labour under Jeremy Corbyn.
Yes, I’m afraid this is the case and that particular reality must be faced. I can only hope the Australian Labor Party does not end in becoming as extreme in its views and stance as Britain’s Labour Party under Corbyn.
Why would one expect a new Labor leadership to run counter to its party’s pro-Palestinian position? Any observer of the more recent Labor Party national conferences suggest it will not. It is dangerous wishful thinking that the Left-wing of the Party, bolstered by inner-city electorates with bulk anti-Israel sympathizers, will permit a change in current policy. Indeed, with this new leader, the cork may have left its bottle.