With the global sweep of the coronavirus pandemic, our world has suddenly changed. Normal life is no longer normal and probably never will be again. The planet is undergoing violent shakings of illness and death with a massive economic fallout that leaves us all reeling. However, there are positives that have come out of this worldwide wake-up call.
Australia has had an unprecedented season of prolonged and intense bushfires, described by many as Armageddon, causing devastation of human life, homes and livelihoods, forests and agriculture, wildlife, stock, crops and infrastructure.
Those who travel to Israel are generally familiar with two possible sites for the crucifixion and burial of Jesus. If you come from a Roman Catholic or Orthodox background, you will most likely visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre which has been the traditional site since the time of Constantine in the 4th Century.
No other Australian family has made such an ongoing and vital contribution to Australia’s military history as the Lovett family. Twenty one (!) men and women from their family have served in the Australian Armed Forces from World War I to today. In fact, their contribution is unique in the entire commonwealth. And what’s more, they are aboriginal!
On Sunday July 22, on a cold winter’s night in Melbourne over 300 people from the Jewish, Christian and Liberal Party communities gathered in the Central Shule Chabad in South Caulfield for the Victorian Liberal Friends of Israel launch. The synagogue was awash with rows of politicians from Federal, State and local Council. Admittedly this was in the middle of the Jewish area of Melbourne, but was also quite a sight to behold. A busload of Christians came from Geelong and others travelled hours from country Victoria to be there. Senator James Paterson (pictured 3rd, Front and Centre) was the MC for the night. He has been a bulwark for standing for Israel since his maiden speech. After a welcome from Rabbi Riesenberg, Josh Frydenberg was the first speaker who pointed out lucidly the need to stand with Israel against the barrage of biased and unwarranted condemnation coming at this tiny nation from the United Nations. The Hon Matthew Guy, Leader of the Opposition in Victoria, shared his personal account of witnessing a terrorist attack during his visit to Jerusalem and saw how the BBC totally twisted the facts to imply that the victims were the perpetrators. He thrilled the […]
While there was tremendous interest in the 100th Anniversary of the Charge of Beersheba last year, the success of that event only led to the liberation of the southern part of the Holy Land up to Jerusalem. The task was not yet completed. As Malcolm Turnbull said at the commemoration service at Beersheba, “Had the Ottoman rule in Palestine and Syria not been overthrown by the Australians and the New Zealanders, the Balfour Declaration would have been empty words.” Three quarters of Palestine and all of Syria were still under the Ottomans at the end of 1917. There was a muddy, cold winter and hot, dry summer to endure and many more battles to fight before the Balfour Declaration could be implemented. The Turkish defence line had been re-established north of Jaffa from the Mediterranean Sea right across to the Jordan River and was held by the Turkish 7th and 8th armies. Over the Jordan River was the 4th army. Two attempts to capture land in today’s Jordan in March and April of 1918 were unsuccessful physically although General Allenby felt strategically that it kept the focus on the eastern side while he was concocting his plan to attack on […]