Delegation to Israel June 2008

AICE hosted a delegation of Australian politicians, journalists and lobbyists in Israel in June – a five day insight into the culture, society and politics if everyday life in the State. As well as meeting dignitaries such as Deputy Prime Minister, Shaul Mofaz; Minister of Internal Security, Avi Dichter; Nir Barkat (Jerusalem mayoral candidate), the delegates attended the opening night of the AICE Australian Film Festival 2008 in Sderot as well as a performance by the Israeli Ethiopian jazz saxophonist Abate in collaboration with Australian jazz pianist Aaron Choulai in Tel Aviv. Attending an AICE board meeting at the Australian Embassy, trips to the archaeological sites of the City of David and Jerusalem Tunnels along with meetings and discussions with prominent academics ensured the delegates were immersed in Israel in these five days.

Delegates were: Senator Michael Forshaw; Jan Forshaw; Senator Brett Mason; Michael Danby MP; Amanda Mendes da Costa; Mary Easson; Warwick McFaddyen and Peter Khalil, hosted by AICE Chairman, Albert Dadon.

Below is an article written by Peter Khalil and printed in Rhapsody magazine on his return.

Hope in the Holy Land For first-time visitors from Australia, a week-long visit to Israel is an eye-opening, jaw-dropping experience.

An almost full moon lit the pitch-black sky above us. The Mount of Olives, the Temple Mount and the Golden Dome all illuminated in the moonlight, the light falling away into the darkened valley below.

I was in the Holy City of Jerusalem for the first time, and I began to understand why this place is so important to 3.4 billion people; why half of humanity looks to this Holy City as a focal point of their spiritual lives; why so many prophets have cried out the name of the city in their prayers; why poets throughout the ages have strived to capture the heart of the city in spirit and song; and why ordinary people have shed tears and felt their spirits soar.

Our mission at the end of June had arrived during one of the most complicated weeks of Israeli politics. At the beginning of the week, Olmert was on political death row, besieged by allegations of corruption, talk of a leadership challenge and internal Kadima primaries.

By week's end a confrontation between Labour's Ehud Barak and Kadima's Ehud Olmert was still simmering, with the PM threatening to sack the Defence Minister.

In between, we lunched with Deputy Prime Minister Shaul Mofaz and took a seat inside the Knesset as French President Nicolas Sarkozy addressed parliament.

By contrast, our meeting with Security Minister Avi Dichter took place in a Spartan-like bunker office in Sderot, the embattled Israeli town that has been on the receiving end of 6000-plus Kassam rockets in the past six years.

The opening of the Australian Film Festival in Sderot was one of the highlights of the trip. Film festivals are not commonplace here. Nor are the posters advertising the opening film, Lucky Miles, which feature a giant Kangaroo sign post!

A helicopter ride to the Golan Heights and down to the Dead Sea for a quick float revealed the natural and at times rugged beauty of the Holy Land.

We also travelled to Ramallah to meet members of the Palestinian Authority. Our discussions there predictably focused on the peace process. But when the difficult details were set aside, their underlying argument was the same as the Israelis – an understanding that an independent Palestinian state, a two-state solution, was necessary for Israel's long-term security.

I saw a beautiful place whose name lifts the hearts of billions of people around the globe. I also met a people who despite their many successes have what seems like insurmountable obstacles to overcome in order to secure peace and stability for their children.

Yet they are a people who have throughout history overcome terrible tragedies. I know I will return many times because I saw that despite the plethora of problems, hope still resides in the Holy Land.