Jewish state honours its diaspora

The strength of ties between Australia and Israel – as well as the strength of the Jewish international diaspora and its ties to the Jewish state – has been recognised with the award of Israel’s highest honour to retail magnate Frank Lowy and lawyer Mark Leibler. It is the first time Australians have been awarded Israel’s Presidential Medal of Honour, and comes at a time when the Jewish state is in need of all the support and recognition it can muster.

Mr Lowy and Mr Leibler were among eight Jewish and non-Jewish leaders from around the world to receive the award, in recognition of their extraordinary contributions to the state of Israel and the Jewish people. Other recipients came from the US, France, Britain and Germany. The Jerusalem Post said collectively, the recipients have been strong advocates for Israel and have been at the forefront of the battle against anti-Semitism.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog is right when he says the award displays a common belief that the Jewish communities worldwide and the state of Israel share a common destiny. From his home in Tel Aviv, Mr Lowy, has looked on aghast as anti-Semitism has been given voice in Australia. Mr Leibler, one of the nation’s most senior lawyers, has been outspoken about the rise of anti-Semitism on university campuses and critical of the Albanese government for not taking a stronger stand against it.