Australian government applauds Israel
Big News Network.com Wednesday 12th March, 2008
The new Australian government has congratulated Israel on its 60th anniversary, describing it as a 'robust democracy' and a 'custodian of freedom.'
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who replaced long-serving John Howard, in early December, has wasted little time in renewing his predecessor's close ties with the Jewish state.
The strength of the motion put to the Australian parliament on Wednesday was underlined by the bipartisan support of the Australian opposition Liberal and National parties.
'Israel is a cause for hope,' Rudd told the parliament.
'Israel and the state of Israel is the custodian of the most fragile and yet most powerful of human emotions, that is hopeful belief in the freedom of man, freedom of speech, freedom of religion and freedom of assembly,' Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson said.
'No Australian who believes in the dignity of man, of freedom and democratic principles, should ever allow, through neglectful indifference, to allow Israel to be a stranger. To do so would be to diminish ourselves and our own security,' he added.
Whilst the Australian government has saluted Israel, there were elements of the Australian people that were sharply critical of Wednesday's motion, including members of the Australian Labor Party, and a number of trade unions.
Protests however were minimal and both Rudd and Nelson, together with a large number of parliamentarians toasted Israel into the afternoon at a special function hosted by the Israeli embassy in Canberra.