A diplomat and a ‘mensch’

HE might still be in the country for more than a month, but Israeli embassy second-in-command Eli Yerushalmi bid farewell to the Melbourne community last week.

At an intimate cocktail party at Beth Weizmann, Yerushalmi was toasted by community leaders for his assistance and goodwill towards Australian Jewry during his four-year stint in Australia.

Jewish Community Council of Victoria president John Searle and immediate past president of the Zionist Council of Victoria Dr Danny Lamm said they were sad to see the diplomat go, while the Jewish National Fund of Victoria dedicated 18 trees in the diplomat’s name.

Melbourne-based Zionist Federation of Australia (ZFA) president Philip Chester recalled how Yerushalmi served unexpectedly as acting ambassador for a time after Nati Tamir’s service was cut short.

“That wasn’t easy,” Chester said, as Yerushalmi nodded in agreement. “But we saw there the start of the dignity and professionalism with which Eli takes his job.”

Yerushalmi and his family, who have been based in Canberra, were due to head back to Jerusalem some months ago, but a turbulent year in Israel-Australia relations saw him stay on after a request from Ambassador Yuval Rotem.

“It says a lot about Eli that he was prepared to stay,” Chester said.

Speaking about the challenges that faced the diplomat, Chester said: “We had this little matter called the passport affair, which Eli has already forgotten. Fortunately, we’re over that blip on the radar screen.”

He also spoke of the difficulty the Canberra embassy had with representing Israel in New Zealand, as well as Australia, until earlier this year.

He added that Yerushalmi was not like other diplomats: “He’s a mensch, he’s warm, he’s one of us.

“You’re a diplomat without an ego … you’re interested in the results, not how it looks.”

Yerushalmi responded to the praise, saying the respect was mutual.

“We had a very special relationship, a very friendly relationship, we loved you all,” he said on behalf of himself and wife Shuli. “I want to thank you for being such a wonderful Jewish community, such a wonderful Zionist community.”

But he had a warning. “We’re in for a rough ride in terms of our history as Jews and of course, the State of Israel, and we need your help. I’m sure the Melbourne community is going to be a strong, strong ally with Israel whatever happens.”

NAOMI LEVIN