August 4, 2011 -- Sydney -- An AJC leadership delegation has finished a four-day diplomatic mission to Australia, including visits to Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney.

 

During the trip, meetings were held with Prime Minister Julia Gillard, as well as the acting Foreign Minister, Parliamentary Secretary for Defense, Shadow Minister for Education, the Premier of New South Wales, leading members of Parliament, the American ambassador, and the Israeli charge de affaires. 

Topics of discussion ranged from the thriving bilateral ties between Australia and the U.S. and Australia and Israel, to developments in the dynamic Asia and Pacific region and the turbulent Middle East.

High on the AJC agenda were the ill-advised Palestinian unilateral strategy at the UN this fall; the upcoming commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the UN's infamous Durban Conference; Iran's dangerous quest for nuclear-weapons capability; and important regional actors from China to Indonesia. 

Given the fast-approaching date, AJC placed special emphasis on the September UN General Assembly session, which could provide a fertile battleground in the campaign against Israel. AJC argued that the Palestinian gambit of UN recognition of a unilaterally declared Palestinian state was entirely counterproductive to the pursuit of a two-state accord. 

The ambassador of East Timor in Canberra also met with the AJC group to convey the thanks of his president for AJC's key role in supporting the country's drive for independence in 2002 and friendship since. 

In Sydney last night, speaking before an audience of 600 at the annual Jewish Communal Appeal (JCA) gala, AJC Executive Director David Harris reflected on the trip and AJC's relationship with Australia.

"When I see extraordinarily vibrant and dedicated Jewish communities like yours, I am once again inspired by the tenacity, passion and creativity of the Jewish people," Harris told the audience. "Moreover, it is always a special treat to be in Australia, a country whose defense of democratic values, close links with the U.S. and Israel, diverse population, and dynamic economy all combine to make it one of the most attractive and exciting nations on earth." 

Throughout the journey, AJC collaborated with its partner organization, the Australian Israel Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC). Nearly twenty years ago, AIJAC became AJC's first official partner in a broad global network that today includes 31 organizations.  Together, AJC and AIJAC have sponsored visits of government and opinion leaders to Israel from a number of Asian countries, and cooperated in numerous other fields as well. 

"AIJAC is one of the most effective advocacy groups anywhere," said Harris. "We're proud to be associated with such a successful, sophisticated and skilled partner."

The visit, which included ten lay leaders from across the United States, was the fourth AJC mission to Australia in recent years. Prior to arriving in Australia, the AJC delegation visited Singapore.