A gift for Israel

Munganbana Norman Miller, an Aboriginal artist and co-founder of the Indigenous Friends of Israel with his wife Barbara, is travelling to Israel to gift a large two-metre boomerang he made and painted to the Israeli government.

Miller said he wants Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog and the Israeli government to know there are Indigenous people in Australia who stand with Israel.

“You are not alone despite hostility from the nations, even our own Australian government,” he said.

Miller explained the meaning of the painting on the boomerang. “This boomerang represents Indigenous peoples with earthy colours surrounding Israel, represented in the centre by the Star of David, in love, protection and blessing. Dot painting is often used in Australian Aboriginal art and it also represents here ‘the islands will look to Me’ (Isaiah 60:9) signifying the remotest parts of the earth bringing honour to the Jewish people,” he said.

“We recognise you as Indigenous to the land of Israel just as we Indigenous people are Indigenous to our lands.

“There is a scripture on the left of the boomerang Amos 9:11-15 because Hashem restored Israel, the tabernacle of David and Israel will never again be uprooted from the land Hashem gave you. On the right side is Psalm 122,” Miller continued.

“Not only do we pray for the peace of Jerusalem and say peace be within you but our feet are glad to stand in the gates of Jerusalem and our tribes of the nations join the tribes of Israel and go up to worship Hashem.”

Miller also launched a Declaration in solidarity with Israel from the Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Rim on the Jewish New Year 5786, in collaboration with Lions of Zion, which will be presented at the same time as the boomerang.