Warm reception for Likud MK Ohana
PROGRESS towards a more inclusive society and the question of whether Israel has a genuine peace partner were key topics Likud MK Amir Ohana raised at a lunch in Sydney hosted by the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council on Monday (May 16).
PROGRESS towards a more inclusive society and the question of whether Israel has a genuine peace partner were key topics Likud MK Amir Ohana raised at a lunch in Sydney hosted by the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council on Monday (May 16).
But the Likud party’s first openly gay Knesset member decided to open his speech with a personal expression of thanks to Australian Jewry.
“It’s my first time in Australia and I am deeply impressed with how much support the State of Israel gets both within the Jewish community and the political community as well,” Ohana said.
“It’s one of the first messages I’m going to take back home with me. I want you all to understand that we do not take it for granted.”
Ohana said he is proud to be chairman of “Pride in the Likud” after helping to found it in 2011, acknowledging, “Normally only left-wing politics [in Israel] embraced members of the LGBTI community.
“But this has changed, and now we are not only the largest, but also the most influential, LGBTI caucus in the Knesset.”
The former Shin Bet official said despite Israel recently celebrating its 68th birthday, unfortunately its struggle for existence isn’t over.
“The Israeli people have proven throughout the years that we both want peace and need peace.
“But in order to have peace we need to have another side that both wants to, and has the political stability to, gain peace. I’m sorry to say that still we don’t have those things.”
Ohana said his answer to critics of Israel who try to equate Zionism with racism is simple: “Zionism is not only not racism, it is the answer to racism.
“What other state in our region allows Christians, Jews, LGBTI and women’s rights to flourish … is that something not worthy of support?”
Major General Jim Molan, who was recently preselected by the Liberal Party as a NSW candidate for the Senate, also spoke at the event about his participation in the inaugural meeting of the Australia Israel Be’er Sheva Dialogue (AIBD).
“The AIBD is a defence and security think tank that will next meet in Australia in November, and the real benefit is to establish an exchange of ideas based on our shared values,” Molan said.
On deciding to enter Australia’s Federal Election race, Molan – who former prime minister Tony Abbott put in charge of implementing Operation Sovereign Borders – said “I have a proven ability to make things work.
“Politics is just a logical extension of my military service.”
SHANE DESIATNIK
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