Australia & NZ.

Zionist Federation of New Zealand working with the community to sustain Jewish identity, reinforcing relationships with Israel, and to foster a positive understanding of Israel and Zionism. 30 January 2019 Media Statement. It is with great disappointment that a mere two days after the world commemorated the International Holocaust Remembrance …

The 2000s drought in Australia, which was also known as the Millennium drought was said by some to be the worst drought recorded since European settlement. However plans for a desalination plant in Sydney were temporarily halted in 2005 after public opposition and the discovery of new underground aquifers. By …

The Zionist Federation of Australia (ZFA) has welcomed the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) decision that it would strip Malaysia of its right to host the upcoming World Para Swimming Championships, after Malaysia announced that it would ban Israeli athletes from competing – the only country in the world whose athletes …

Zionist Federation of Australia Statement – January 2019 For immediate release. The belated response by one of the most senior and influential rabbinic figures in the National-Religious community in Israel to a growing sexual abuse scandal has been condemned by the Zionist Federation of Australia as inadequate, irresponsible and unacceptable. …

In 2003 cartoonist Malcolm Evans was sacked from the NZ Herald amidst some controversy.  His single-tracked focus on Israel, and the vitriolic and offensive nature of some of his cartoons, had led to accusations of antisemitism. He was warned by his then editor to temper his fixation on Israel but …

Who is really being irresponsible? The negative responses to Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s recognition of Jerusalem reveals more about the agenda of the respondents than the substance of the policy. The announcement by Prime Minister Scott Morrison that Australia now recognises that Israel’s capital is located in Jerusalem and not …

Despite a majority in favour of what would have been a historic resolution condemning terror against Israel, it was not adopted because the general assembly voted to require a two-thirds majority. The United States ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, pointed out that the demand for a two-thirds majority was …

Zionist Federation of Australia Response to Australian Labor Party National Conference. For Immediate Release The Zionist Federation of Australia (ZFA) believes that unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state is counterproductive to bringing about a two state solution and peaceful resolution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict. Therefore, the adopted resolution at the …

MEDIA RELEASE   * Recognising West Jerusalem could strengthen progress towards two-state solution * ZFA welcomes Government’s improved position on Iran 15 December 2018 For Immediate Release The President of the Zionist Federation of Australia, Jeremy Leibler, described today’s announcement by Prime Minister Scott Morrison recognising West Jerusalem as the capital …

MEDIA RELEASE – 15 DECEMBER 2018 The Australian Jewish Association (“AJA”) welcomes today’s formal announcement by Prime Minister Scott Morrison that Australia shall move to recognise west Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Jerusalem has been the capital of Israel since shortly after the creation of the State of Israel in 1948.  …

ECAJ MEDIA RELEASE. The Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ), the peak representative body of the Australian Jewish community, has welcomed the Australian government’s ground-breaking announcement that “Australia now recognises West Jerusalem, as the seat of the Knesset and many of the institutions of government, is the capital of Israel.”  …

New Zealand voted for a historic United States-led resolution against Hamas terror at the United Nations, along with 87 other countries.  There were 36 abstentions and 57 nations voted against the resolution. Despite a majority in favour of the resolution, it was not adopted because the general assembly voted to …

Earlier in the week, the IDF announced the beginning of Operation Northern Shield after discovering Hezbollah efforts to construct a network of terror tunnels on the Lebanon border. President of the Zionist Federation of Australia (ZFA) Jeremy Leibler said, “the discovery of these terror tunnels proves that Hezbollah is in …

Hanukkah (or Chanukah, or other spellings) is a Hebrew word meaning ‘rededication’.  The festival commemorates the Jews’ struggle for religious freedom from the Greek-Syrians more than 2,000 years ago (c160BCE). Jewish practice was outlawed by King Antiochus and the Temple (on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem) was turned into an …

Following on from a very special lunch between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur organised by the Zionist Federation of Australia where leaders of a number of Christian Zionist organisations met with representatives of the Zionist Federation of Australia, the ZFA was delighted to co-host a delegation of Jewish and Christian …

Indigenous solidarity reached a crescendo in Northland over the weekend as the Northland Ngapuhi hosted Israeli Ambassador, HE Dr Itzhak Gerberg, for a powerful Powhiri and Hakari Banquet. Held at the Kohewhata Marae (a) in Kaikohe, Northland, the “Heart to Heart Powhiri” held in Māori tradition included a ceremony, songs …

Last week, the United Nations General Assembly’s decolonization committee, which includes all 193 member states, adopted nine resolutions against Israel, and zero on the rest of the world. New Zealand voted for 8 and abstained on one. In contrast, Australia voted no to 6 of the resolutions and abstained on …

Kiwis from all over New Zealand gathered at the Waipuna Lodge in Auckland this past weekend to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the reestablishment of the State of Israel and Aliyah (assisting the return of Jews to their ancient homeland). The multi-cultural event drew members of the New Zealand Christian, …

NZ Justice Minister, Andrew Little, has named a replacement to David Rutherford to lead New Zealand’s Human Rights Commission. The candidate chosen is Professor Paul Hunt, an academic at the University of Essex who is described on his Wikipedia entry as a “human rights scholar-activist“. While his CV and academic …

Israel marks the annual Feast of the Tabernacles (Sukkot) holiday with a march of support through Jerusalem. Thousands of Christians from all over the world make the traditional pilgrimage to Jerusalem including representatives from the Maori Community. The representatives from the New Zealand Maori Community included Stephanie Harawira and the …