Shabbat with Malcolm
Australia’s Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and his wife Lucy will host Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara for a Shabbat meal following the Israeli’s Prime Minister’s meetings with Bill Shorten and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
Bill Shorten and Benjamin Netanyahu Photo: Haim Zac/GPO
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has met with New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian. The two discussed mainly economic issues including commercial cooperation. Premier Berejiklian told Prime Minister Netanyahu that New South Wales could be Israel’s gateway to important countries in Asia.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said one of their plans is to bolster technology ties between the two ‘Startup States’.
Following the meeting, Ms Berejiklian announced that a groundbreaking knowledge-sharing program, which saw eight NSW fintech startups travel to the Austrade Tel Aviv Landing Pad in 2016, would continue in 2017.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Benjamin Netanyahe Photo: Haim Zac
Ms Berejiklian said the program’s continuation was a “win-win for both NSW and Israel”.
“Israel leads the world in startup innovation and NSW leads the way here at home so we are ideally matched to collaborate,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“In 2017 NSW will send a second delegation of NSW startups to Tel Aviv to be mentored by Israel’s experts, meet investors and then bring what they learn back to NSW – Australia’s ‘Startup State’.
“I was delighted today to discuss our important relationship with Prime Minister Netanyahu who this week spoke of his desire to strengthen business ties and trade links between our nations.”
In 2016 the NSW Government signed an agreement with Israel to collaborate on joint research and development projects, as well as establish formal partnerships between businesses and universities.
Later Prime Minister Netanyahu met with Leader of the Opposition and Labor Party Chairman MP Bill Shorten. They discussed diplomatic and regional issues such as Iran, Syria and the Palestinians. The Prime Minister stressed the problematic nature of the nuclear agreement with Iran, Iran’s regional aggression and its expansionist aspirations. MP Shorten emphasised the bipartisan nature of admiration for Israel in Australia and reiterated his support for Israel.
He said: “This was a warm and productive meeting. It was good to see the Prime Minister again. We discussed the importance of a strong Australian-Israeli relationship, particularly when it comes to security, trade, tourism and innovation.
“Good friends are honest with each other – we always have been.”
The Labor leader reiterated the party’s support for a two-state nation. However he said that where the settlements are a roadblock for peace
Bill conveyed Labor’s support for a two-state solution, and that where settlements are a roadblock for peace that needs to be resolved.
On Sunday prior to his departure from Australia Prime Minister Netanyahu will meet with Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop.
