To ride like an ANZAC – on TV in Australia and on bike in Israel

15 Australian and Fijian Soldiers serving in Sinai will join Israeli cyclists and members of the Australian Embassy to relive one of modern history’s last great cavalry charges.

In honour of the 102nd anniversary of the Battle of Beersheba, mountain bikes will replace mounted horses as riders follow the same trail used by the Australian & New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) to conquer the Negev’s capital from the Ottoman Empire in 1917.

The ride starts off at Kibbutz Beeri on November 1 at 8:00 am and finishes at 1:30 pm

“It’s a privilege to be able to join fellow Australians and Israeli friends of Australia, to ‘Ride like an Anzac’, 102 years since the landmark Battle of Beersheba,” says Australian Ambassador to Israel, Chris Cannan.

“The heroic capture of the town of Beersheba by the 4th Australian Light Horse Brigade on 31 October 1917, following hard fighting by British and New Zealand troops, was an important victory that hastened the defeat of the Ottoman Empire in World War 1.

For Australians, the Battle of Beersheba has become a growing part of our military heritage and collective consciousness; a time to reflect on sacrifice and mateship and what it means to be Australian.

 

These Anzac soldiers are making a contribution to the security of Israel and its region, so it is particularly special to have some of them join us on our ride as we honour the memory of the Anzacs who paid the ultimate sacrifice on these lands more than a century ago”.

Australian expat and organizer of the ride, Danny Hakim said, “it’s really important that both Australians and Israelis know about the Battle of Beersheba because it was this battle that created the historic bond between Australia and Israel”.

To honour the historic ties that bind Israel and Australia and the impact of the battle on the Middle East, the Annual ‘Ride like an Anzac’ event will include a bike ride and authentic (Kosher) Aussie Sausage Sizzle and good beer.

Australian guides will lead two bike trails, for families (10 km) and advanced riders (25 km), which will follow in the footsteps of the courageous ANZAC troops including the Anzac Memorial. Bikes are available for rent at the starting point. Everyone is welcome.

On Sunday, October 27, the documentary film “Ride like an Anzac” that tells the story of centennial reenactment ride and the participation of the Aboriginal ANZACs will be screened on Australia’s ABC Compass program to an audience of 500,000 Australians. Ex-pat Danny Hakim who organized the event in 2017 and was the executive producer of the film expects that it will boost Australian tourism to Israel.

The ride is organized by Budo for Peace, an educational non-profit that teaches martial arts values and sport as a platform to promote a shared society. This year’s ride is supported by the Australian Embassy and Telfed, The South African Zionist Federation (Israel).

Ride Like as an ANZAZ will be screened by ABC-TV this Sunday evening at 6:30 pm on Compass.

The film was produced by Judy Menczel, directed by Adam Dostalek, Executive producer is Danny Hakim.

To join the ride, email [email protected]