Yesodei leadership team visits Canberra
Their visit proved to be both informative and inspiring, showcasing the students' understanding of global issues.
A student leadership team from Yesodei Hatorah College recently visited Canberra where they engaged in thoughtful discussions with three prominent politicians from across the political spectrum.
Their visit proved to be both informative and inspiring, showcasing the students’ understanding of global issues.
The first meeting was with Senator James Paterson, a member of the Liberal Party.
The students were impressed by the senator’s considerate approach and his endorsement of many values shared by Yesodei Hatorah students.
One of the key questions posed by the students was regarding the International Criminal Court (ICC)’s ruling and whether Paterson and his party would support the arrest of Israel’s Prime Minister and former defence minister.
Paterson responded with disappointment at the situation, emphasising the complexities surrounding international law and diplomatic relations.
In a meeting with the Labor Party representative Josh Burns, the students raised concerns about the visa refusal for Israeli politician Ayelet Shaked and Burns’ personal decision to join the Labor Party.
Burns explained that while it was difficult for him to oppose the visa refusal publicly, he has in the past helped in other areas.
When questioned about Australia’s shifting stance on Israel in recent UN votes, Burns acknowledged that UN resolutions had not significantly impacted Australia’s practical policies or actions on the ground.
Senator Dave Sharma expressed surprise at the students’ extensive knowledge of international affairs.
He said he would continue to work with like-minded nations to ensure that the controversial ICC decision regarding Israel’s leadership would not be enforced.
When the students shared their personal experiences of being assaulted in Melbourne, with no apparent action taken by local police, Sharma advised them to persistently voice their concerns to their local MPs to ensure the police took the necessary action.
The group visited some of Canberra’s iconic locations: the War Memorial, Questacon and the High Court of Australia.
The trip also gave the students a chance to engage directly with Palestinian protesters outside Parliament House.
While the protesters expressed strongly held views, the Yesodei Hatorah students engaged in a constructive dialogue, challenging the ideas and moral arguments presented and demonstrating their ability to engage critically with differing perspectives.
Overall, the visit strengthened the political insights of the Yesodei Hatorah students, and allowed them the opportunity to be ambassadors for their values and beliefs on the national stage.
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