Nova Peris honoured by Technion
The former Olympic hockey gold medallist was one of four recipients honoured at a special ceremony during the Technion Board of Governors meeting this month
Former Labor senator Nova Peris has been awarded the Technion President’s Award for Exceptional Achievement in recognition of her dedication to combating antisemitism and defending Israel following the October 7 Hamas attacks.
The former Olympic hockey gold medallist was one of four recipients honoured at a special ceremony during the Technion Board of Governors meeting this month, where she drew powerful parallels between Aboriginal and Jewish experiences of persecution and exile.
“Ancient communities exiled, persecuted, and struggling for survival. Communities with a painful past—but a hopeful future,” Peris said during a panel discussion on antisemitism.
The first Aboriginal Australian to serve in federal parliament and the first Aboriginal Olympic gold medallist, Peris told the gathering that the Aboriginal community “owes much to the Jews who defended and fought for its rights”.
“That’s why I wept with Australian Jews on October 7,” she said. “I came to Israel, visited Kibbutz Be’eri and the Nova site, and watched the horror video—after which no one can ignore absolute evil.”
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