Sofer: Challenges remain, but opportunities abound
As I step into the first year of my term here in Australia, I look forward to promoting Israel's strengths and helping to reinforce the burgeoning Australian-Israeli bilateral relationship.
WITHOUT doubt, 2017 was a year that truly showcased the strength of the relationship between Australia and Israel, with the first ever visit of an Israeli Prime Minister to Australia and the first visit of Malcolm Turnbull as Prime Minister to Israel in October together with Leader of the Opposition Bill Shorten, for the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Beersheba.
This anniversary was a particularly poignant occasion as it marked perhaps the earliest point of friendship between our two nations.
The celebration of the 70th anniversary of the adoption of UN Resolution 181 in November 2017, which recognised the need for immediate Jewish statehood and paved the way for the birth of the modern State of Israel, highlighted the historic partnership between our two countries.
As chairman of the UN Ad Hoc Committee on the Palestinian Question, Australia’s “Doc” Evatt, was an integral player in the crafting of the Partition Plan and indeed Australia was the first country to vote in favour of it at the UN.
This friendship is predicated on a number of underlying factors, with the two most commonly cited ones being our shared values and freedoms and the recognition that Israel is the only true island of democracy in a sea of instability in one of the world’s most critical regions.
Yet since my arrival here just a few weeks ago, it has become abundantly clear to me that the strength of this bond is undeniably also – perhaps primarily – attributable to the indispensable activity of the Australian Jewish community and its leadership, as well as of Israel’s many close friends and supporters throughout Australia.
Indeed, the Jewish community and leadership are legendary in Israel as one of the most dedicated and active in the world.
However, it was only after my arrival here that I grasped the full extent of the consequences of the community’s interaction with the broader Australian society and its devotion to Israel’s cause. Sometimes, the obvious must be stated – we do not under any circumstances take this for granted and during my tenure here I will nurture the relationship with the community as a highest priority.
Looking forward, 2018 presents both challenges and opportunities for Israel.
The challenges lie in the changing political architecture of the Middle East mainly rising out of regional instability, the carnage in Syria, Yemen and elsewhere and the Iranian drive for regional dominance both directly and through its proxies, while the opportunities arise from the reaction of State actors to these shifting regional politics.
In response to an expansionist Iran and its extremist allies, a widely increasing number of Middle-Eastern countries are rapidly moving away from their erstwhile positions that Israel is the ultimate evil and source of all woes in the region.
While this stance may have been useful in allowing many of them to deflect criticism away from their own problems at home – including human rights abuses and questions over regime legitimacy – they have come to realise that in order to tackle the real dangers to the stability of the region, the threat of Islamist extremism and the Iranian regime, Israel is actually part of the solution rather than the problem.
This has resulted in a positively evolving political landscape vis-a-vis Israel in the region.
Recognition of Jerusalem by the US is a case in point. The mere statement of fact that Jerusalem is the capital of the State of Israel set off a chain reaction in the Arab world which for the most part has been underwhelming to say the least.
While the Palestinians attempted to reignite tensions in order to push their agenda in the international arena, one cannot escape the feeling that for many states in the region, the quicker the issue could be put behind them the better since it is far from being central to the actual threats they face.
Peace between Israel and the entire Arab world remains an imperative, first and foremost for our children and our children’s children.
Moreover, fighting the scourge of anti-Semitism and its modern offshoots anti-Zionism and the infamous BDS movement, will remain at the forefront of Israeli foreign policy.
In light of this and the regional challenges we face, we need the support of our friends around the world.
As Australian foreign policy has clearly placed it as a major force in world politics, our friendship, therefore, takes on additional importance and certainly not only in the UN.
And yet, despite the trials and tribulations of our neighbourhood, everything is very far from doom and gloom.
This year marks 70 years since the creation of the modern State of Israel and 70 years of bravery, perseverance and creativity.
We justifiably take great pride in our achievements in such a short period of time.
Examples abound and are too numerous to mention.
Today, Israel’s innovation sector is booming as never before; its agriculture technologies are cutting edge and exported throughout the globe; its medical research and breakthroughs are constantly bringing solutions to the scientific world; and even our very own Israeli acting talent has gained universal acclaim.
In short, Israel has become the envy of so many countries and Israelis are proudly changing the world around them for the better.
Slowing down is not even contemplated.
As I step into the first year of my term here in Australia, I look forward to promoting Israel’s strengths and helping to reinforce the burgeoning Australian-Israeli bilateral relationship in such fields as innovation, technology, cyber security and economic, cultural and academic interaction in general.
All of this is a tall order indeed, and we have our work cut out for us at the Israeli Embassy in so many dimensions.
I take great heart in the knowledge that we are by no means alone. To the absolute contrary.
MARK SOFER is Israel’s Ambassador to Australia.
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