TWENTY-FOURTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL MEETING
Melbourne 23 April 1972.
Speech by the Prime Minister, The Rt Hon. William McMahon, M. P^
Mr President, Members of the Executivu of the Zionist Federation
of Australia and New Zealind, and all of you who have come to
commemorate the Twenty-fourth Anniversoryof the Proclamation of
the Independent State of Israel:
I am honoured to be your guest today. Some ? eople will say I
came here tonight to demonstrate clearly that there was no hint of
bigotry or discrimination associatea with me. There is a simple
answer. It is true and correct.
Australian Jewry has always treasured the absence of discrimination
and anti-semitism, and the traditions of freedom and democracy
in Australia. I have always treasured those principles and I always
will treasure them. I am here this evening to renew that commitment
on my own behalf, on behalf of our Government, on behalf of the
National Government and, I am absolutely certain, on behalf of the
great majority of all Australians.
All the world knows the story of the miracle of modern Israel.
Israel is a haven for the oppressed and unfortunate. It is th2
chanpion of Jewish rights and of the right of survival, wherever they
are threatened. And it preserves the historical identity of the
Jewish people, through its culivation of treir spiritual and cultural
heritage. So this is a proper occasion to remind ourselves of the
prophetic visions of justice and peace upon which the State of Israel
is founded, and by which it is guided. The story of Israel is unique
in our generation, which has seen the emergence of so many new nation
states. There is noather exayole of a people who, having lost their
independence and become widely dispersed in foreign lands, have been
able, twenty centuries later, to come together to form a nation state.
It is living testimony of faith, vitality, and determination. It is
a reminder that forbearance, courage, resolution and industry can
prevail during the darkest night. There is no bravernor prouder story
than the record of Jewish history. It is a story of sadness and of
unbelievable triumph. It is a story which is still unfolding in
Israel where a strong and independent modern state has been built by
Jews in the land of their fathers. ./ 2
S2. Through sheer hard work and the clever application of scientific'
knowledge, an arid and exhausted land has been restored and made
productive... this was eloquently and felicitously expressed with
masterful understatement by Winston Churchill in Jerusalem more than
fifty years ago in speaking of the beginnings of the new Israel:
" It is making two blades of grass grow where one grew before". This
prophecy has been fulfilled. The grass is green in Israel today.
The desert is blooming.
Australians have not forgotten the evils that shamed humanity
which were revealed following the second world war. They have not
forgotten the victimisation, the persecution the massacres and the
injustices which would have broken and overcome a lesser people. It
is this imperishable spirit and this irresistible urge for freedom
and independence which we salute tonight from one young and free
nation to another. Our two countries have many links which hind
us closely. In two world wars, a warm relationship was built up
between the Jewish population of Palestine and our own fighting
men. This is a relationship forged in war that has continued
undiminished and which.. I know will endure and grow.
Through its active membership of the United Nations Palestine
Commission and the General Assembly, Australia helped the modern
state of Israel to take its place as a nation in 1948. Since then,
we have consistently supported Israel's right to exist, along with
all other states in the Middle East. We have -ackedI srael as a
sovereign independent state with a right to exist within secure and
recognised boundaries free from threats or acts of force. It is
one of the tragedies of our time that the issues which divide Israel
from its Arab neighbours still remain unresolved. The major
influences on events in the Middle East are exercised by countries
other than Australia. But we, in this country, have emphasised
both in the United Nations, and anywhere else where our voice is
heard, that Australia stands ready to support any constructive efforts
designed to further a negotiated settlement. We continue to hope that
good sense and moderation will prevail.
Mr President, it has also been put to me that you support an
immediate start to meaningful dialogue between the Arab States and
Israel. And, further, that such a dialogue should lead to a just
settlement of the Middle East conflict, based firstly on secure and
defendable borders, and on mutual recognition and dignity. It is
said that such a settlement would once and for all remove the dread
of war from the Middle East in the interests of world peace and the
co-operative development of this important region of the world. And
I might add, it would be a settlement of immeasurable benefits to men
and women of all nations in that area.
That is what has been put to me as your position. It is a
position with which I must say I agree add support as a constructive
attitude. Peace in the Middle East is not only in the interests of
those nations who live there. It is in the interests of the world,
and it is in the interests of Australia. I am proud to be Prime
Minister of a country where men accept each other for whlat they are
and where bigotry has no place. / 3
0 3.
Over many years, this country has been sympathetical-ly
concerned with the plight of Jewisb pooplz in countries where they
have been subject to discriminattion and oppression. For some of
those who haue been aV'le to e; ni'grate, we have gladly provided a
new home. We believe others who wish to emigrate from countries
where they feel unwanted shogid be allowed to do so. And I mention
particularlythe struggle of Soviet Jewry to live in freedom with
thQ right to cherish their culture and tradition, and their struggle
for freedom to return to the land of their forefathers in Israel if
they wish to do so.
Australia has cause to be thankful to its Jewish community
for its significan contribution to our society and national life.
You have added the weight of your faith to the spiritual life of
this nation. You have given much to our own culture. You have
given your skills to businass and commerce. You have given us
notable leaders in war and peace.
I take three names only from our history; names that are
honoured for the diversity of their contributions to our natidial
life. There are, of course, many others. Firstly, the late Sir
Isaac Isaacs, our first Australian-horn Governor-General. He was
a man of the law and of letters and of politics who helped to draft
the Australian Constitution by which we live today; a Chief Justice
of the Commonwealth and before that a Cahinet Minister.
Then there was the late General Sir John Monash, a Jew hy
race and faith, who was one of our greatest Australian~ s. He led us
superbly in war; he was an innovator in peace; he was warrior,
acadamic, administrator and the first president of the Australian
Zionist Federation. And lastly, the late I. H. Boas, son of the first Rabbi for
the Jewish community in South Australia. A scientist who made a
dramatic contribution to Australian industry by pioneering the use
of our native gum tree and the eucalypt, in paper-making. He served
Israel, too, with his special genius. You honour him with the Boas
Institute of Forest Products in Israel. Part of a giant industry
is his monument in Australia today.
These men adorn the Australian story and there are many more
of Jewish faith, living and dead. Their lives are fine examples of
the way in which the Jewish community enriches the quality of
Australian life. We will continue to be enriched if we remain one
peoplc of several faiths certainly but united by a common
purpose and sharing the same dangers and the same opportunities.
And I say to you with all the sincerity of which I am capable: I
will repudiate and reject any hint of anti-semitism as disgraceful
and unworthy of any Australian. I have nothing but comtempt for
any Australian who would stoop to such statements or behaviour.
Mr President, as Israel stands on the threshold of its
year, I am most honoured that you have included me on this
occasion. Together we share in the pride of achievement by Israel.
It is the hope of all of us that a just and lasting peace will be
achieved before we next meet to commemorate this great anniversary.