Israeli broadcaster, actor to headline UIA AGM
Lucy Aharish and Tsachi Halevi will visit Sydney, Melbourne and Perth for UIA’s AGM and Impact events.
Israeli journalist and broadcaster Lucy Aharish and actor and singer Tsachi Halevi will visit Australia this month for the United Israel Appeal (UIA) 2026 AGM and Impact events in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.
Aharish became the first Arab-Muslim news presenter on mainstream Israeli television. Raised in Dimona, she has built a career examining Israeli society from a perspective shaped by identity, belonging and the complexities of life in Israel.
Her husband, Halevi, is known for his role in the television series Fauda. Before his acting career, he served in undercover IDF units, and he returned to reserve duty following October 7, 2023.
UIA said his experiences across military service, culture and public life inform his perspective on resilience and Israeli society. The couple will speak about their shared story and their views on Israel’s complexities and its future.
UIA Australia CEO Yair Miller said the visit would give the community an opportunity to hear from two voices reflecting very different but deeply connected parts of Israeli life.
“Lucy and Tsachi offer a unique perspective on what it means to build a shared future in Israel. At a time when Israeli society continues to navigate profound challenges, their personal and professional experiences offer our community a rare opportunity to hear how those complexities are being lived from within,” he said.
The UIA Victoria event will be dedicated to the late Jack Smorgon z”l, recognising his connection and contribution to UIA and the wider community. Smorgon was a longstanding supporter of aliyah through Keren Hayesod-UIA. UIA credited his generosity and leadership, together with Val and the Smorgon family, with creating a lasting legacy.
The UIA NSW event will honour outgoing UIA NSW president Gary Perlstein for his leadership of the organisation.
UIA said the events would offer audiences a first-hand perspective on Israeli society, identity, resilience and the challenges shaping its future, alongside stories showing what support for UIA’s work makes possible.
The UIA Victoria event will be held on Tuesday, November 10 at 6.15pm, and the UIA NSW event on Thursday, November 12 at 7pm. Details for the Perth Impact events are yet to be announced.
Registrations are open at
uiaaustralia.org.au/events