On his way
President Reuven (Ruvi) Rivlin leaves Israel today to make an official visit to Australia at the invitation of Governor-General David Hurley.
President Reuven Rivlin and Governor-General Hurley Photo: Mark Neyman
A working meeting between the two following welcoming official ceremony in Canberra.
The president will also meet with Prime Minister Scott Morrison and other senior political figures. The president will visit Sydney where he will meet Governor Margaret Beazley of New South Wales and will take part in events celebrating the centenary of Keren Hayesod-UIA. The president will be accompanied on his visit by a business delegation led by the Manufacturers’ Association of Israel and the Israel Export Institute.
In Melbourne, the president will meet with the Victorian Governor Linda Dessau.
He will also participate in a meeting with the Jewish community and visit Mount Scopus College, where he will be welcomed by 1000 students from Jewish schools in the city. The president will also take part in events to celebrate the centenary of Keren Hayesod-UIA and in a business summit with the businesspeople who are joining the president’s visit.
Before his departure, the president said: “I am excited to be visiting Australia for the first time as president. The relations between Israel and Australia are well-established and strong. They are based on shared values and true friendship that bridge the huge distance between us – not only countries, oceans and time zones, but also different cultures and traditions. With innovative and creative thinking, both peoples have turned challenges into opportunities. We have learned to initiate and develop connections and partnerships far from home through shared interests and values. I am sure that this trip will strengthen the existing relationship and develop it further with wonderful partners.”
Before he arrives in Australia, the president will participate in a summit meeting, the first of its kind, with Pacific Island states, which will be held on Thursday in Fiji. Representatives of Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Tonga and Palau will take part in the meeting. On his way to Fiji, the president will land in Los Angeles for a number of hours, where he will be honoured by the Y&S Nazarian Center for Israel Studies at UCLA.
He arrives in Australia on Friday.
Correction He was Lockwood’s guest not quest
The President has visited New Zealand. He was here as the guest of Speaker Lockwood Smith who on a visit to Israel in Sept/Oct 2010 invited the then Knesset Speaker to visit NZ. He arrived about 1 month after the Feb 22 2011 Christchurch Earthquake. He was Lockwood’s quest at Parliament and was present for the Rabbinical dedication of the current Israel Embassy offices.
Ambassador Shemi Tzur and Speaker Rivlin went to Christchurch to pay there respects to the dead which included Israelis.