Disappointment over Rivlin cancellation
COMMUNAL leaders have expressed their disappointment at the cancellation of Israeli President Reuven Rivlin’s scheduled visit to Australia later this month, with the head of state set to visit Russia to meet with President Vladimir Putin instead.
COMMUNAL leaders have expressed their disappointment at the cancellation of Israeli President Reuven Rivlin’s scheduled visit to Australia later this month, with the head of state set to visit Russia to meet with President Vladimir Putin instead.
As The AJN reported last week, Rivlin was due to spend five days in Australia in mid-March, visiting Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney.
During the trip he would have met with Governor-General Peter Cosgrove, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and other major political figures. In Sydney he was scheduled to attend a Shabbat service at The Great Synagogue and a communal event at Central Synagogue on Sunday, March 20.
“Due to regional developments which have occurred in the Middle East, and the need for a meeting between the two Presidents in Moscow, President Rivlin has been forced to postpone his planned visit to Australia, which will be rearranged for a later date,” Rivlin’s spokesperson said.
The spokesperson added that Rivlin intends to set an alternative date for his visit “as soon as possible”.
It was reported that the schedules of Turnbull and many government ministers were rearranged in order to accommodate Rivlin’s visit, with Cosgrove cancelling an overseas trip to host the Israeli President.
Communal identity Yosi Tal said he was outraged by the latest cancellation of yet another high-profile Israeli politician.
“It’s absolutely disgraceful. How many cancellations have we had by major Israeli figures?
“Australia is one of the few countries supporting Israel,” Tal told The AJN.
Noting that Australia is one of Israel’s strongest allies and strongest communities supporting the country financially, he added: “This is no way to treat an ally or a community.”
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop told The AJN this week, “We were looking forward to the President’s visit and hope it can be rescheduled. I hope to visit Israel in the near future.”
Zionist Federation of Australia (ZFA) president Danny Lamm said the ZFA is “disappointed” that Rivlin had cancelled his visit.
“It would have been a wonderful opportunity to highlight the strong connection between Israel and Australia,” he said. “We do hope the visit will happen in due course and look forward to welcoming him into one of the most committed Diaspora Zionist communities.”
Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Robert Goot echoed the sentiment.
“We regret that President Reuven Rivlin has deferred his state visit to Australia, and share the disappointment of the Australian officials and many others who were looking forward to his visit,” Goot said.
Rivlin is among four senior Israeli politicians who have cancelled visits to Australia in the last two years. In 2014 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cancelled a trip to Australia in the wake of the kidnapping of the three late Israeli teenagers Gilad Shaar, Naftali Frenkel and Eyal Yifrach.
In August that year then Israeli foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman cancelled a visit only three days after invitations to a private function with him in Melbourne were sent out, while in October last year Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, who was due to speak to audiences in Sydney and Melbourne for the Jewish National Fund (JNF), pulled out as the Israeli capital was rocked by the latest wave of terror.
EVAN ZLATKIS
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