Young pollies visit Israel
A YOUNG political leaders mission to Israel brought a group of politically inclined young people face to face with the conflicts of the region when it took place in January.
A YOUNG political leaders mission to Israel brought a group of politically inclined young people face to face with the conflicts of the region when it took place in January.
The Israel/Palestine Political Study Tour comprised 15 participants, representing both the Liberal and Labor parties, and who were, for the most part, non-Jewish.
As well as seeing some of the sites of the country, over nine days the group met with high-level officials via visits to the Australian Embassy, the Knesset and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Melbourne-based participant Daniel Weil, who is the Liberal Party Caulfield branch vice-chair, said the most poignant part of the trip for him was visiting areas not frequented on organised trips, including Hebron and the northern borders.
“Standing at the Syrian border we could clearly see and hear the civil war going on. [We were] standing five kilometres away from a town that was being shelled – all within eye and earshot,” he told The AJN.
“Seeing that really emphasised the instability of the whole region.”
He added that, being one of the only participants who had visited Israel previously, he took interest in seeing the reactions of first-timers.
“Everybody who participated came away thinking that this is a much more complex conflict than they otherwise would have thought,” Weil noted. “Without having been in Israel, you can’t be an armchair expert.”
Adrian Wong – adviser to Chris Hayes MP, Chief Opposition Whip and federal Member for Fowler in New South Wales – spoke highly of the experience.
“Many of us have read about the Israeli and Palestinian conflict in the Middle East, however, to be able to meet everyday people on the ground and hear their personal experiences was very insightful and informative in this debate,” Wong said.
“I found Israel to be a very hardworking, innovative and technologically successful country. After the visit, I remain committed to two states for Israelis and the Palestinian people to live in peace.”
This is the fourth time this mission has run. It was launched in 2013 by Joshua Koonin, a Sydney-based lawyer and former political adviser who sought to bring politically minded people to Israel to gain a better understanding of the political issues that Israel faces.
From six Liberal delegates on the inaugural mission, it has grown to encompass both sides of politics, as well as growing in numbers.
PHOEBE ROTH
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