Celebrating Israel and remembering the vote

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The  National Council of Jewish Women of Australia NSW, Hamoadon HaIsraeli, The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies Zionist Council of NSW and Betar will host the10^th Anniversary of NCJWA Celebrating Israel.

Doc Evatt

The event will take place on November 30 and will be dedicated to “Remembering the Vote” featuring collectable recollections of one of the most significant days in the history of Israel.

The guest of honour will be popular State Liberal MP Gabrielle Upton, member for Vaucluse, Minister for Family and Community Services and Chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Israel.

“Celebrating Israel” marks the passing by the United Nations General Assembly of resolution 181, known as The Partition Plan, on 29 November 1947, which called for the establishment of a Jewish State alongside an Arab State, in the land of Palestine, paving the way for the establishment of the State of Israel.

This event was Initiated in Australia by Dalia Ayalon Sinclair, then NCJWA’s Israel PR and Information Chair, who in the midst of the 2^nd intifada, felt the need to raise awareness of the historical legitimate right of the Jewish people to the State of Israel.

It was most relevant to celebrate the event in Australia due to the significant role Australia played in relation to “The Vote”. Doc Herbert Vere Evatt then Australian Minister for External Affairs was chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee on Palestine which was charged with preparing the ‘Partition Plan’ and Australia was the first to cast a “yes” vote. There was very little awareness in Australia of the special bond that exists between Israel and Australia. Celebrating Israel events have been the catalyst to raise that awareness and it is gratifying to know that it is a date that is being referred to at all levels of government in Australia.

The Australian Foreign Minister, The Hon Alexander Downer, who was considered the “Champion of the Jews”, at his last public address in that capacity at Celebrating Israel 2007 event, which was the Australian official launch of the 6oth Anniversary of the State of Israel stated “After all the Jewish people had been through, the least the world could do was to find the Jewish people a homeland” .

“On that day the Jewish people were given the opportunity to grasp hold of the book of history in order to write down their own destiny, which led to the establishment of the state of Israel. The Jewish people’s acceptance of Resolution 181 is a testament to our ongoing willingness to seek peace and co-existence with our Arab neighbours.” said Former Ambassador of Israel to Australia, His Excellency Yuval Rotem at a special Tribute Dinner to Doc Evatt at the Celebrating Israel 2009.

“Whist no reality can ever match a vision any reality must have a vision to guide it” said Steve Israel at the annual NCJWA Celebrating Israel 2010.

“The Partition Plan – The Great Divide” is still to be granted acceptance of the two states for two people solution as agreed by panellist debating the ongoing conflicts in the middle east at the Celebrating Israel event 2012.

In the past the annual event has been co hosted by organisations including the Zionist Federation of Australia, Executive Council of Australian Jewry, NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, Zionist Council NSW and the Moadon HaIsraeli with guests of honour to include parliamentarians, ambassadors and other prominent speakers.

One of the most moving recollections of these events was the short address by Rosalind Evatt Carrodus, at the tribute dinner in honour of her father as she had recalled her presence at the UN General Assembly when Israel was announced as a state in 1948.

For further information please contact NCJWA NSW on 9363 0257.