Abetz to chair Israel friendship group
TASMANIAN Liberal Senator Eric Abetz has been appointed as the chair of federal Parliament's Australia-Israel Parliamentary Friendship Group, taking over from Senator David Fawcett, who resigned from the role on his appointment as the Assistant Minister for Defence.
TASMANIAN Liberal Senator Eric Abetz has been appointed as the chair of federal Parliament’s Australia-Israel Parliamentary Friendship Group, taking over from Senator David Fawcett, who resigned from the role on his appointment as the Assistant Minister for Defence.
Reflecting on being appointed to the role, Abetz said, “Israel is the only free and democratic nation in the Middle East and I am looking forward to working to advance the very deep friendship between Australia and Israel.
“With a $1.3 billion two-way trade relationship, Australia and Israel are already very close trade and security partners, something that I will advocate growing to even further heights.
“I am particularly pleased to be taking over this role at a time when Australia’s support for Israel on the international stage couldn’t be stronger. Australia’s strong support for Israel at the United Nations and stopping aid to the Palestinian Authority under former foreign minister [Julie] Bishop are both things that I advocated for and strongly welcomed.
“It is a tremendous honour to take on this role and I look forward to, in particular, working with the Jewish community in Australia to advance the relationship between Australia and Israel,” said Abetz.
AJN STAFF
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