Farewell messages for Scott Morrison
Former Liberal Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced his retirement from politics.
ZFA president Jeremy Leibler presents the Jerusalem Prize to Scott Morrison Photo: Henry Benjamin/J-Wire
Leading community organisations have farewelled him, thanking him for his service and for his support of the Jewish community and Israel.
ZFA President Jeremy Leibler said: “Scott Morrison has long been a close friend of the Australian Jewish community and of Israel, and we salute his leadership in this regard. He held to some simple truths: that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, and that Israel is a fellow democracy embattled by tyrannical enemies. We were honoured to present him with the Jerusalem Prize in 2019, only the second time a sitting prime minister has received it.
We wish Mr Morrison the very best for his future endeavours.”
Scott Morrison speaking at a UIA event
Mark Leibler, National Chairman and Dr.Colin Rubenstein, Executive Director of The Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council, commented: “Scott Morrison has been a true friend of Israel and the Australian Jewish community, in word and deed. Under his prime ministership, Australia rightly recognised west Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, was supportive of Israel’s growing ties with the Arab world through the Abraham Accords, and repeatedly showed its staunch friendship through UN votes and statements of support, especially when Israel was under attack. Australia-Israel ties were strengthened, including through the opening of an Australian defence and trade office in Jerusalem.
His government also embraced the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism. Mr Morrison also gave warm messages to the Australian Jewish community and made himself available to attend community functions. We also greatly appreciated his timely solidarity visit to Israel within a month of the October 7 Hamas atrocities, the first Australian member of parliament to do so.
As an architect of the AUKUS Agreement with the US and UK, he has provided the critical framework for ongoing Australian security in the challenging years ahead.
We congratulate him on all his achievements, thank him for his support, and wish him the best in all his future endeavours.”
Daniel Aghion is the president of The Executive Council of Australian Jewry. He said: “The Australian Jewish community and Israel have counted Prime Ministers on both sides of politics as firm friends, and Scott Morrison was prominent among them. Under his leadership, several long-standing goals of the Australian Jewish community were realised. Australia became a full member of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance and adopted its Working Definition of Antisemitism; Australia formally recognised west Jerusalem as Israel’s capital; and Hamas and Hezbollah were listed by Australia as terrorist organisations in their entirety.
Australia’s voting record at the UN was never more supportive of Israel as it was during his period as Prime Minister. There was never room to doubt that Scott Morrison’s empathy with our community was heartfelt and sincere. He leaves politics with our gratitude for his contributions as Prime Minister and best wishes for his future, together with the best wishes of his many other friends in the Jewish community.”
