Top Israeli human rights lawyer addresses UIA Events
Israeli human rights lawyer, Gadi Ezra addressed over 700 guests across a series of events in Sydney and Melbourne hosted by UIA .
Katya Rozenblit and Gadi Exra
UIA NSW’s events included a Mentor Lunch, Legal Lunch, North Shore briefing, presentations at Kehilat Kadimah, Emanuel Synagogue and Moriah College; and various private events.
UIA Victoria’s events included a Women’s Division event, YoungUIA Sessions evening, Legal Lunch and a presentation at Bialik College.
Ezra holds an unparalleled perspective on war – as a human rights lawyer and soldier in the Special Forces. He is currently advising the defence establishment on strategic matters, while pursuing his PhD in Law.
Selected by Forbes Magazine’s ‘30 under 30’ most influential leaders in Israel, Ezra already holds three law degrees, specialising in public law and human rights. He headed the Laws of War desk at the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, advising diplomats on humanitarian law, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, human rights and sanctions regimes.
Drawing from his personal experience and his strong academic and practical background as a human rights lawyer, he examines the complexities of applying the law in warfare in actual combat. Using first-hand experiences, he illustrates modern challenges, difficulties faced and the IDF’s high standards.
During his visit, he touched on these issues, amongst others including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, human rights, his childhood spent in Kiryat Gat (a region where one of Keren Hayesod-UIA’s absorption centres is located) and the support needed for the vulnerable populations living on Israel’s periphery.
“It was a true honour to engage with the wonderful Jewish communities in Sydney and Melbourne. The interactions I was privileged to experience were insightful. I’m thankful for UIA for providing me with this unique platform, and hope I was able to shed light on complex issues,”Ezra said.
“In a unique way, Gadi was able to give us rare insight into the life and death scenarios facing IDF soldiers in dense urban combat every day. His clear, rational outlook enabled us all to understand the lengths the IDF goes to, in excess of what the law requires, to protect human life. Yet again, the UIA has connected our community to Israel through an incredibly impressive young man,“ UIA CEO Yair Miller said.
