The Zionist Federation of Australia together with the Executive Council of Australian Jewry and in conjunction with Labor Friends of Israel present Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs - Mr Kevin Rudd MP - in his first public address to NSW Jewry.
Mr Rudd will speak on "What Hope for peace? Reflections on a recent visit to Israel."
Date: Thursday the 23rd of October
Venue: NCJW 111-113 Queen Street, Woollahra
Time: 7:30pm
No charge
Author: Dr. Ron Weiser (President, Zionist Federation of Australia) Date: Tuesday, May 06, 2003
Speech given by Dr. Ron Weiser at Yom Ha'atzmaut Gala Concert, Sydney May 6, 2003
SHALOM - EREV TOV - V'CHAG SAMEACH FRIENDS - I RECENTLY HAD OCCASION TO REREAD A SPEECH GIVEN BY THE LATE CHAIM HERZOG TO THE UNITED NATIONS IN 1975 - DURING THE DEBATE ON THE INFAMOUS 'ZIONISM=RACISM' RESOLUTION. SOME OF THOSE WORDS SENT A SHIVER UP MY SPINE AND I WAS PROUD OF THE MORAL CLARITY THEREIN AND I WAS PROUD OF THE ADHERENCE TO REAL PRINCIPLES AND I WAS TRULY PROUD TO TO BE COUNTED AS A MEMBER OF KLAL YISRAEL AND AS I READ YOU THESE WORDS - SAY TO YOURSELVES "AM YISRAEL CHAI" - AND LET THE TRUE REALISATION OF WHAT THOSE WORDS MEAN - SINK IN. CHAIM HERZOG SAID IN PART: "It is indeed befitting that the United Nations, which began its life as an anti-Nazi alliance, should thirty years later find itself on its way to becoming the world centre of anti-Semitism. Hitler would have felt at home on a number of occasions during the past year, listening to the proceedings in this forum. I do not come to this rostrum to defend the moral and historical values of the Jewish people. They do not need to be defended. They speak for themselves. They have given to mankind much of what is great and eternal. They have done for the spirit of man more than can readily be appreciated by a forum such as this one. King David made Jerusalem the capital of Israel almost three thousand years ago, and Jerusalem has remained the capital ever since. "If I forget three, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning." This oath has been repeated for thousands of years by Jews throughout the world. It is an oath which was made over seven hundred years before the advent of Christianity and over twelve hundred years before the advent of Islam. Zionism is one of the most dynamic and vibrant national movements in human history. Historically it is based on a unique and unbroken connection, extending some four thousand years, between the People of the Book and the Land of the Bible. Zionism has created the first and only real democratic state in a part of the world that never really knew democracy and freedom of speech. Herzog continued - As I stand on this rostrum, the long and proud history of my people unravels itself before my inward eye. I see the oppressors of our people over the ages as they pass one another in evil procession into oblivion. I stand here before you as the representative of a strong and flourishing people which has survived them all and which will survive this shameful exhibition and the proponents of this resolution. The great moments of Jewish history come to mind as I face you, once again outnumbered and the would-be victim of hate, ignorance and evil. I recall the greatness of a nation. For us, the Jewish people, this is but a passing episode in a rich and event-filled history. We put our trust in our Providence, in our faith and beliefs, in our time-hallowed tradition, in our striving for social advance and human values, and in our people wherever they may be." HE CONCLUDED BY TEARING UP THE RESOLUTION IN THE UNITED NATIONS CHAMBER. AM YISRAEL CHAI - THE CATCHCRY MANY OF US HAVE REPEATED LOUDER AND MORE FREQUENTLY IN RECENT TIMES - FOR THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL NOT ONLY HAVE LIFE BUT ARE TRULY ALIVE! AND WE ARE A PEOPLE CONTINUALLY RECOMMITTING OURSELVES TO DEMOCRATIC AND MORAL AND JUST AND DECENT VALUES AND WE ARE A PART OF A PEOPLE WHO IN SPITE OF THE TERROR, HAVE REDOUBLED THEIR RESOLVE TO CONTINUE, TO GO FORWARD, TO BUILD, TO CREATE, TO INITIATE TO DEVELOP AND TO SEEK PEACE FRIENDS ON THIS THE 55TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FREE AND INDEPENDANT STATE OF ISRAEL - ON THIS GREAT DAY - LET US ALL SAY - AM YISRAEL CHAI
