World Jewish News

Australian PM Turnbull in Israel: 'The relationship between our two nations is growing stronger every year'

Australian Prime Minuister Malcolm Turnbull is visiting Israel to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Beersheba which has been described as one of the last great calvary charges in history, when the Australian Light Horse Brigade captured the city of Beersheba on October 31, 1917. Thirty-one Australians died in the conflict.

Turnbull is the first Australian Prime Minister to visit Israel since fellow conservative John Howard in 2000. He told the Australian press that his visit would mainly focus on military ties but also address the broader issues of trade, investment, and technology.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his visiting Australian counterpart both cited the threat of militant Islam at a press conference prior to a meeting in Jerusalem on Monday afternoon.

Turnbull said both countries were fighting “militant Islamic terrorism,” which he called “a threat to Israel, a threat to Australia and a threat to all who value and cherish freedom.” Netanyahu expressed a similar sentiment when he said that “militant Islam threatens not only our two countries, but also our common civilization.”

Both leaders also talked about the importance of the Battle of Beer Sheva, the World War I battle in which soldiers from Australia and New Zealand swept aside the forces of the Ottoman Empire to open the gateway to Palestine in the last successful cavalry charge in history.

Turnbull said the battle was “a moment in history of extraordinary significance” in which Australians and New Zealanders “liberated Palestine from the Ottoman Empire, from the Turkish occupiers.”

Turnbull said the relationship between the two nations was growing stronger every year based on a shared “commitment to the values on which our nations our societies are based: freedom democracy the rule of law, values we have always fought for and always will.”

Netanyahu added that he and Turnbull would be talking about ways to deepen that alliance, “to make it even stronger, even broader.”

Prior to Turnbull’s departure, Australian media reports said the two countries would establish an annual bilateral strategic defense dialogue and would sign a memorandum of understanding on defense industry cooperation.

“Our defence ties have become a vital part of the relationship between Australia and Israel. As a result of this visit, we aim to upgrade the co-operation on defence, national security, and the protection of crowded places,” Turnbull said. “Our nations can learn a great deal from each other in order to strengthen security and keep our citizens safe.”

On Wednesday, the Australian premier will visit Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem. He will tour the Holocaust History Museum, participate in a memorial ceremony in the Hall of Remembrance, visit the Children's Memorial and sign the Yad Vashem Guest Book.

EJP