Former PM Scott Morrison to leave politics

Former prime minister Scott Morrison celebrated his relationship with the Jewish community in comments made exclusively to The AJN on Wednesday.

Morrison, who served as prime minister from August 2018 to May 2022, announced on Tuesday that he will retire from politics next month after 16 years “to take on new challenges in the global corporate sector and spend more time with my family”.

He told The AJN, “I have always had a special relationship with the Jewish community, which I greatly value and appreciate. Their generosity, innovation, enterprise and deep commitment to family and community is both compelling and beautiful.

“The Jewish community has made a truly extraordinary contribution to Australia and their stoic optimism in the face of hateful antisemitism over generations, that continues to this day, is inspiring.

“I have always been pleased to stand by the Jewish community and the State of Israel and always will. Am Yisrael Chai.”

Morrison, who grew up amongst the Jewish community in Sydney’s east before moving to the Sutherland Shire where he became the Member for Cook, consistently defended Israel during his time in politics. He recognised west Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, spoke out against UN bias, and adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism. He was the first Australian MP to visit Israel after the October 7 Hamas atrocities, where he toured the affected areas.

Former colleagues lauded his friendship of the Jewish community and Israel this week.

Josh Frydenberg, who as treasurer worked closely with Morrison, told The AJN, “In public as in private Scott Morrison was always clear, consistent and steadfast in his support for Israel and the Australian Jewish community.

“He was a genuine friend of Israel who backed his words with actions.”

Member for Berowra Julian Leeser said he was proud to call Morrison a friend.

“He was clear-eyed on Israel. His own deep faith had given him a sense of the importance of Israel not only to the Jewish people but to millions of Christians too.”

Liberal Senator and former Australian ambassador to Israel Dave Sharma said, “Scott Morrison was a strong friend of the Australian Jewish community and a staunch supporter of Israel’s right to live in peace. His moral clarity on these issues will be missed.”

Jewish communal leaders also expressed their gratitude for Morrison’s support.

Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion said, “There was never room to doubt that Scott Morrison’s empathy with our community was heartfelt and sincere.

“Under his leadership several long-standing goals of the Australian Jewish community were realised. Australia became a full member of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance and adopted its Working Definition of Antisemitism; west Jerusalem was formally recognised by Australia as Israel’s capital; and Hamas and Hezbollah were listed by Australia as terrorist organisations in their entirety,” Aghion said.

“Australia’s voting record at the UN was never more supportive of Israel as it was during his period as prime minister.”

Zionist Federation of Australia president Jeremy Leibler said, “Scott Morrison has long been a close friend of the Australian Jewish community and of Israel, and we salute his leadership in this regard. He held to some simple truths: that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, and that Israel is a fellow democracy embattled by tyrannical enemies.

“We were honoured to present him with the Jerusalem Prize in 2019, the first time a sitting prime minister has received it.”

Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council national chairman Mark Leibler and executive director Colin Rubenstein said Morrison has been a true friend of Israel and the Australian Jewish community “in word and deed”.

“Under his prime ministership, Australia … repeatedly showed its staunch friendship through UN votes and statements of support, especially when Israel was under attack,” they said. “We greatly appreciated his timely solidarity visit to Israel within a month of the October 7 Hamas atrocities, the first Australian member of parliament to do so.”