Israel Advocacy Update. Written by Emily Gian. Media and Advocacy Director, Zionist Federation of Australia..   THE JOKE OF PALESTINIAN UNITY … IS ANYBODY LAUGHING? On Monday, the Fatah-Hamas unity government was sworn in. The reconciliation between the two warring factions came seven years after Hamas took over Gaza in …

PREPARATIONS ARE UNDERWAY FOR ZFA JEWISH EDUCATORS’ CONFERENCE. The role of Israel in Jewish education is a key theme to be explored in this year’s Zionist Federation of Australia’s Jewish Educators’ Conference and we are delighted that Israel’s Minister for Education, Rav Shai Piron will be coming to the conference …

Weekly Israel Advocacy Update. Written by Emily Gian. There has long been a tendency for some commentators to claim they are afraid to speak out about matters relating to Israel for fear that any negative comment might be construed as being antisemitic. Whilst it is true that this might sometimes …

The biggest Israel Programs Fair ever held in Australia will be coming to Sydney and Melbourne. ‘The Shuk’ will showcase a wide range of gap year, study abroad, post-university and volunteer experiences for young adults aged 18-30. It is a fantastic opportunity to meet program organisers and alumni as well …

  Weekly Israel Advocacy Update. Written by Emily Gian. Media and Advocacy Director, Zionist Federation of Australia..   Dear Tamar, Remember me? We first met in late December 1996 when my parents took me to Israel for the first time as part of a UIA family mission. My family and …

Weekly Israel Advocacy Update. Written by Emily Gian. Media and Advocacy Director, Zionist Federation of Australia..   Some weeks ago I wrote about the peace negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians, which had then been meandering along with little progress for eight months. From the outset of the talks, …

  ANZAC Day is one of the most important days in the calendar of Australians and New Zealanders, marking the anniversary of the fateful dawn landing on the beaches of Gallipoli by Australian and New Zealand troops in 1915. It was the first major action by the Australian and New …

A terrific must read piece written by Jack Chrapot and very kindly submitted to ‘Jews Down Under’ by Emily Gian. Media and Advocacy Director, Zionist Federation of Australia.. This Monday night, we sit down to read about the liberation of the Jews from slavery back in the days of the …

Written by Emily Gian. Media and Advocacy Director, Zionist Federation of Australia..   Over the years, I have received some fantastic “good news” stories across my desk that come from Israel and that really needed to be shouted about from the rooftops.   Whether it has been some technological advancement or …

                                                   2 APRIL 2014   180 delegates, including large contingents of young adults from the Australian Zionist Youth Council and AUJS, gathered in Melbourne on Sunday 30 March for the ZFA’s Biennial Conference. With keynote addresses from the Hon Bill Shorten MP, Leader of the Opposition, Yariv Levin MK and …

Weekly Israel Advocacy Update. Written by Emily Gian. Media and Advocacy Director, Zionist Federation of Australia.. Some years ago, whilst researching an assignment for University, I came across an interview with Israeli author Amos Oz. He was asked if it is true what they say about a writer writing the …

Natan Sharansky, Chairman of the Executive of the Jewish Agency will be a guest of the ZFA in Sydney and Melbourne together with the ZCNSW, ZCV and UIA. He will arrive in Sydney on the 26th March and events will be held over three days including a large communal event on Thursday evening …

Weekly Israel Advocacy Update. Written by Emily Gian. Media and Advocacy Director, Zionist Federation of Australia.. Welcome back to Emily Gian after her maternity leave.We look forward to her weekly reports, as we have these past months from Gabrielle Debinski. She writes: Returning last week to my work desk after …

Weekly Israel Advocacy Update. 7th. March 2014 – Written by Gabrielle ‘Gabsy’ Debinski. Media and Advocacy Director . This week we have to say shalom to ‘Gabsy’ as she leaves us to further her university studies and to welcome back Emil Gian from maternity leave. It has been an absolute …

Weekly Israel Advocacy Update. Written by Gabrielle ‘Gabsy’ Debinski. Media and Advocacy Director, Zionist Federation of Australia.. It’s a showdown. Israel Apartheid Week vs IDF Diversity Week; the irony is palpable. Campuses across the US and Europe are abuzz with anti-Israel charades to mark the annual ‘Israel apartheid week.’ Colleges …

Israel Advocacy Update – Written by Gabrielle ‘Gabsy’ Debinski. Media and Advocacy Director, Zionist Federation of Australia.. ‘THE WEEKEND AUSTRALIAN/ 4 CORNERS ONE-SIDED INVESTIGATION: WHAT CAN YOU DO? Many of you will have come across two articles written by John Lyons in this week’s The Weekend Australian. These featured as part of …

Weekly Israel Advocacy Update. – Written by Gabrielle ‘Gabsy’ Debinski. Media and Advocacy Director, Zionist Federation of Australia..   It all started last Saturday against a bright blue backdrop in a room filled with diplomats and reporters. It was the Munich Security Conference and the US Secretary of State was …

Weekly Israel Advocacy Update.  Written and submitted by Gabrielle ‘Gabsy’ Debinski. Media and Advocacy Director, Zionist Federation of Australia.. There is an old adage that resonates with many Jewish mothers; “you don’t air your dirty laundry in public.” For time immemorial Jews, particularly in the diaspora, have lamented Israel’s seeming PR …

Weekly Israel Advocacy Update. Jan. 22 2014 – Written by Gabrielle ‘Gabsy’ Debinski. Media and Advocacy Director. The last week has proved more than any that we are fortunate to live in a country like Australia. And for us women, there has never been a time to be more proud to be a …

ZFA Israel Advocacy Update Weekly Israel Advocacy Update.  Written by Gabrielle ‘Gabsy’ Debinski. Media and Advocacy Director, Zionist Federation of Australia..16 January 2014 The death of Ariel Sharon z”l marked the end of an era. The former Prime Minister was perhaps the last founding father of the state. His history is finely …