Congratulations to Julia Gillard from AIJAC and the ECAJ
Jewish community leaders have sent congratulations to Julia Gillard, Australia’s new Prime Minister.
Dr Colin Rubenstein
The Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council’s executive director Colin Rubenstein said:
“Julia Gillard has our congratulations and best wishes on assuming the prime ministership of Australia.
We have valued the ongoing commitment she has shown with regard to Israel’s security and her understanding the complexity of the conflict and challenges Israel confronts while it seeks a genuine peace with its neighbours.
As Acting-Prime Minister during the Gaza War in January 2009, her resolute and principled articulation of the Australian Government’ssupportive position was much appreciated by the Australian Jewish community and all of Israel’s friends.
Having been to Sderot,( she was a Rambam scholar in November 2005), unlike so many of Israel’s critics she understood and defended Israel’s right and need to defend its civilian population against repeated and indiscriminate missile attacks from Gaza.
Her ability as Education Minister to honour the commitment of the new Labor Government to resolve a serious funding problem for several Orthodox day schools as well as her general commitment to a better education for all Australian children whether in public or private schools is also widely admired across the Jewish Community.”
ECAJ President Robert Goot
Robert Goot, president of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry sent this letter to Australia’s new Prime Minister:
“On behalf of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry and personally, I write to convey the congratulations of the Australian Jewish community upon your election as Prime Minister.
As you know, the ECAJ has on many occasions in the past, expressed admiration and appreciation for your principled stands on various issues and your close understanding of, and assistance to, the Jewish community.
Your becoming Prime Minister of Australia is a most fitting and wonderful achievement.
The fact that you are also Australia’s first female Prime Minister will be a source of inspiration to young Australian women in particular, regardless of their political views, as it confirms that there is no achievement that is beyond their reach and no high office to which they cannot aspire.
I wish you and your Government wisdom and strength in these challenging times. May you be guided by providence in all that you do and may the blessings of providence continue to be bestowed upon our wonderful country.”
Goot also sent congratulations to new Deputy Prime Minister Wayne Swan….
Re: Your election as Deputy Prime Minister
“On behalf of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry and personally, I write to convey the congratulations of the Australian Jewish community upon your election as Deputy Prime Minister. I have no doubt that in your new office you will continue to serve the country with great distinction. Your many friends in the Jewish community wish you and the entire government all the very best in the challenging times ahead.”
Hon. Prime Minister
Whilst congratulating being the 1st woman Prime Minister of Australia, its seems you have a huge burden to shoulder now. I believe you are tough enough to meet these challenges. Most important thing is that you have a faithful and sincere bunch of candidates to take care of all the portfolios. As I understand you are going to be very tough on immigration policies, as an immigrant yourself, madam, I wish you to give you some important points think over. I am a single mum who had to look after my children without any compensation whatsoever from any one. I had a really tough life brining my children single handed. I was able to come to Australia because my daughter was sick but my sons are still in the country of my birth. This is making my heart break all the time and only hope there is a policy for immediate family members to come legally and join their families provided they are without any convictions, good education and an asset to the country. Getting asylum seekers only makes a huge burden to the country. I trust Hon. Prime Minister that you are able to give this policy more thought when changing the policies for immigrants.
The time is swiftly coming when Australians must choose the side they want to be on, World opinion or Israel’s