Farewelling an ‘unparalleled’ ambassador
JEWISH communal leaders have paid tribute to Yuval Rotem, who heads back to Israel this week after completing six years of service as ambassador to Australia.
JEWISH communal leaders have paid tribute to Yuval Rotem, who heads back to Israel this week after completing six years of service as ambassador to Australia.
Zionist Federation of Australia president Philip Chester said the departing envoy “faced a number of serious challenges during his term including the Gaza war, the Dubai passport affair, the flotilla incident, the UN Palestinian statehood vote and the Ben Zygier affair, all of which he handled with outstanding skill and judgement.
“Yuval passionately believed in promoting Israel and its many achievements at every opportunity and this made him a very public and popular figure at a number of general sporting, cultural and educational events in the Australian community. Yuval was also a very regular attendee at Jewish communal events where his insightful analysis and brilliant oratory skills were eagerly sought by all. I wish Yuval and Miri Rotem hatzlachah rabah [great success] in their future endeavours and may they remember their time here in Australia fondly.”
Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) president Danny Lamm recalled a diplomat whose thorough standards of preparation were legendary. “He sought me out to meet me in Israel well in advance of his arrival in Australia as he did with others, so he would commence with a sound knowledge of the communal set-up.
“From his early arrival, he demonstrated an enthusiasm and a commitment that in my experience has been unparalleled. He was always accessible, provided excellent background material and advice to the communal leadership and provided excellent counsel whenever his advice was sought,” Lamm told The AJN.
“He upgraded the output of the embassy to the highest level and was a true partner in my work at the Zionist Council of Victoria where I was previously president and as president of the ECAJ,” he said.
Lamm singled out Rotem’s “hospitality” in hosting Jewish communal events and remembered fondly the envoy’s statement supporting former Victorian premier John Brumby when his government congratulated Israel on its 60th anniversary in 2008.
Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) national chair Mark Leibler said: “I thank and applaud Ambassador Rotem for his outstanding service to Israel and his warm friendship with the Australian Jewish community. He has earned the respect, praise and affection of key opinion makers around Australia and strengthened the relationship between Israel and Australia. His ability to communicate directly and clearly has enabled Australians to better understand the unique challenges Israel confronts.”
AIJAC executive director Dr Colin Rubenstein emphasised Rotem’s involvement in the organisation’s program to send Australian politicians and media to Israel. “I am proud that Ambassador Rotem has had a close and longstanding relationship with AIJAC. In particular, we greatly value his strong support for the AIJAC Rambam Israel Fellowship Program which has sent federal and state politicians and senior journalists to Israel.”
Israel’s new ambassador Shmuel Ben-Shmuel is expected to begin his duties later this month.
PETER KOHN
Outgoing Israeli Ambassador Yuval Rotem.
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