I had the privilege today to attend the Australia Israel Chamber of Commerce (AICC) address by the Hon Mark McGowan, Leader of the Opposition.

The AICC is a dynamic business networking organisation that delivers exceptional events and promotes bilateral trade between Israel and Australia. 

In his address Mr McGowan displayed his credentials and won my confidence as a capable future Premier of Western Australia.  He researched his topic well, answered questions directly, and was not afraid to criticise his own side of politics where necessary (for example, advocating for GST returns to Western Australia with a floor price of 80% of revenue receipts). 

Australia, like all democracies, functions well where there is a strong opposition to keep the Government administration in line.  At a Federal level Australia has lacked sufficient force in opposition, and at a State level, Western Australia has also traditionally suffered.  There is more to the task of opposition than supplying a personable leader, but at least the WA State Labor has instilled a youthful, personable, practical person at the helm who provides genuine leadership.  His immediate action on deregulation of shopping hours, and his practical policy solutions aimed at cutting bureaucracy show that there is substance behind the rhetoric.

In his address Mr McGowan spoke with great passion and knowledge about the history of Israel, its technology and trade, and questioned what contributed to its economic success.  He cited six reasons:

Adversity – Israel has to survive in the face of existential threat

Defence – Israel has developed technology for its defence that has led to innovation

Wisdom – He cited the traditional wisdom of Jewish people and the learning culture of the Jewish people as a contributing dynamic to the Jewish nation

Natural Assertiveness – Israel has a can do attitude, combined with an abrasive population, endowed with chutzpah.

Egalitarianism – Israel has developed a society in which everybody has a role and everybody counts.

Research and Development – Israel has a respect for science and technology and invests into this both publically and privately.

Following the identification of these points, Mr McGowan proceeded to compare the Western Australian market and derive lessons learned from the Israel experience.

In discussion with his audience, Mr McGowan was asked about education and skills development.  He noted that in Israel the population has the benefit of military and national service, in addition to tertiary education, and that this contributes to the flourishing science and technology that Israel produces.

Indeed, in Israel many technical skills are developed in the Army.  Israeli citizens commonly acquire these skills and even take time out to travel, prior to attending university.  This allows for Israelis to receive their University education when they are a little older, and already technically exposed and experienced.

If Western Australia was to pursue an educational revolution, it could learn much from the Israel experience.  We have a State crying out for technical resources, including engineers, high-end trades, infrastructure and construction specialists, and geological related disciplines.  If these skills are developed and implemented through the workforce prior to tertiary education, then the value of research and development, innovation, and entrepreneurship is enhanced through the University experience. 

In developing future policy and new ideas for a future Government, I hope that Mr McGowan is able to take into account the tremendous need for our tertiary education system to develop graduates that have the practical technical skills that will lead to economic growth.  At the moment, many of our University graduates only begin their real education and develop real technical skills when they enter the workplace.  Perhaps opportunities can be developed by recreating apprentice and vocational programs as a pre-requisite to certain University degrees?  These could then be provided under an incentive structure to add real productive value to a tertiary qualification.

This thought aside, it is most gratifying to hear first hand from an emerging political leader about his future vision for our State.  It was particularly gratifying to know that the challenges and experiences of Israel are considered within that vision, both as past lessons learned and future collaborative opportunities. 

The voters of Western Australia can be confident that they can approach the ballot box of the next State election with a real choice in front of them.

Judaism is a very pragmatic religion, and that pragmatism extends to robust economic management.  That naturally flows into the psyche of a Jewish nation, one from which Australia should take more notice.

Further to the recent contrast between Australia and Israel relating to the commemoration of national identity, it is also interesting to contrast the economies of the two countries.  One is Australia, a lucky country, whose economic luck may one day run dry.  The other is Israel, the Start Up Nation, that has created a trade market to deliver the fundamentals for sustained economic growth.

In a week that the Australian Government will deliver a budget surplus forecast, on the back of an interest rates cut, Australia is starting to crack at the seams due to cost of living pressures.  Historically when the Reserve Bank has devalued the cash lending rate by half a percent basis point, the Australian Dollar has significantly devalued.  On this occasion the Australian dollar is unable to slide back to parity against the US Dollar.  This is due in part to the basket-case status of the European and US economies, but also due to the contemporary nature of the Australian lending market (which now only sources 25% of its funds for lending from the Reserve).  The Australian Dollar is still artificially high, with the Government now suddenly discovering that it has no way to force it down.  This has placed extra pressure on the tax receipts for the Federal Budget.

Trying to solve a debt problem by lowering the cost of debt is not a smart economic manoeuvre at this time.  This is especially so as the manufacturing and primary production industries in Australia have been effectively terminated.  The resources sector brings Australia its prosperity, but taxing this, and every other productive element of the economy to the point that there is no incentive to create wealth is a slow form of fiscal suicide.  Australian tax receipts are coming down because people have less money to spend, therefore businesses are producing less and not profitable.  Retail is sick, industry is struggling, and Government is force feeding the vicious cycle instead of trying to reverse it.  Australia struggles to see the true impact of its current economic decline because the sheer proportionate strength of economic data relating to the resources sector eclipses the performance of the balance of the economy.

Both sides of politics in Australia have recently cited “middle class welfare” as a luxury that cannot be afforded for future generations.  Yet the election cycle continues to be peppered by policy bribes that are designed not so much as to redistribute wealth as they are to buy votes.  How ironic it will look this week to observe a Labour Government engage a Liberal philosophy in order to project a national income and expenditure statement that shows its net bottom line in black ink.

A look at the Israeli economy, no less plagued by current political instability than Australia, delivers a marked economic contrast at every juncture.

The Australian Dollar, has a slower long term appreciation against the Israeli shekel than it does against the US Dollar.  Ten years ago your Australian Dollar would buy you 55 American Cents, and about 2.6 Shekels.  Today, that same Australian Dollar buys a touch over one US Dollar, and a touch under 4 Shekels.

Tracking the history of the cross rates is an interesting exercise.  So too is the tracking of longterm growth of GDP per captia (Australia edges out Israel), and the balance of trade.  Israel had a net trade of goods and services in 2010 of $US4.23 billion driven by hi-tech.  By comparison, Australia was $US15.2 billion, driven by the export of raw materials.    With this in mind, it is a staggering statistic to consider that the real growth in GDP for Israel is at 4.6% and for Australia it is 2.7%.

The economy of Israel needs resilience.  It has defence, infrastructure and social spending requirements that are far more pressing and strained than those of Australia and need to be serviced by a population a third the size of Australia.  Israel spends 8% of its National GDP on Defence.  Yet Israel meets this expense through its export receipts, through the dividends of venture capital into R&D, through innovation and technological development, and through sustainable development.

Australia has the economic fundamentals in the form of natural resources that allows it to outperform Israel and many other nations, yet it is squandering its current opportunities for growth through poor fiscal policy.  Israel on the other had has political and territorial constraints that leaves innovation and ingenuity as its main asset to power its economic  growth.  Against all conceivable odds it is flourishing.

I hold little hope for an inspiring Federal Government budget from Canberra this week, taking issue with a number of revenue and expenditure decisions.  Not the least of these is that Australian foreign aid will continue to flow via Government agencies to Palestinian organisations that aid and abet terrorism, denounce their obligations, and kill Jews.

I only hope that the economic policy developers of Australia research and learn from the experience of Israel, and rebuild our economy not just on the basis of knowledge, but also on the basis of industry, production, trade, and incentive driven tax regimes that reward performance as opposed to discouraging business.

There are those who claim that the very notion of a Zionist in the Diaspora is the purest form of an oxymoron. I make no apology for holding this badge of identity whilst not currently residing in Israel, but make sure that the basis of my Jewish identity is centred around Israel, my focus is directed towards ultimately being in Israel, and that I direct my energies towards inspiring all who I come across to understand, respect and admire all that the modern Jewish State has to offer.

As a member of a generation who has not known a world without Israel, I marvel at the accomplishments of the Country in the face of adversity.  To comprehend that within the timeframe of the lifetime of a person an entire nation has developed itself with industry, culture, economic strength, world leading technology, defensive capabilities, and moral fortitude beyond the tolerance threshold of any other nation in the history of the world, is nothing short of a modern miracle. When the aspiration of making the desert bloom is no longer an ideological cliche, but rather a practical reality, the miracle is there for all who choose to see it.

As I write these words, Israel is standing in remembrance of its fallen soldiers. This year a further 126 souls have been added to the number of terrorist victims and soldiers whose lives were sacrificed as a result of the destructive intent of Israel’s enemies. The number of fallen mourned stands at 22,993.

On the rare occurrence that ANZAC Day and Yom Hazikaron flow together, there is a serene atmosphere of solidarity and respect for those who put their lives on the front line to defend their nation.

Gallipoli was the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during WWI. Over 8,000 lives were lost by the time of withdrawal in 1915. In Australia a dawn service is held to commemorate their sacrifice. During battle, the half-light of dawn was one of the most favoured times for an attack. Soliders in defensive positions were woken in the dark before dawn, so by the time first light crept across the battlefield they were awake, alert, and manning their weapons, hence the observance of the Dawn Service on ANZAC Day.

The same notion and opportunity of “dawn” features strongly in the ideology of Zionism. Israel is described in our prayer as “Reishit Smichat Geulatenu” translated as the dawning of the flowering of our redemption. It is a messianic calling, but in a Jewish sense. Jewish people around the world are supporting the nation building of Israel.

I am a religious Zionist because I believe that Israel has a purpose that is different from that of any other nation. Unlike some of the founding fathers of modern Zionism, who aspired for the Jewish State to be an ordinary nation like any other, I believe that the Jewish State can effectively distinguish itself by displaying Jewish values and conducting itself with Jewish virtue.

Abraham Joshua Heschel wrote “Man is a messenger who forgot the message.” This particularly applies to those Jews who campaign against the building of Israel on the basis of Jewish observance, and reject the place of Jewish tradition within the Jewish State.  I implore Israel not to become a messenger who fears the power of its own message and not to disregard the spiritual motivation that has returned us to our land.

It occurred to me that if I am to further contrast ANZAC Day and Yom Hazikaron, then this is the very lesson to internalise. The emotion, patriotism, awe, and recognition of our defence forces is very real, very dignified, and a matter of the highest level of national respect and honour in both Australia and Israel. It motivates our respective national identities and delivers us an appreciation of the freedom that people have fought for on our behalf with their very lives.

At the end of ANZAC Day, Australia returns to its iconic cultural ways. Australia does not transition the energy of ANZAC Day into a moment of national celebration, save for the occasional hangover. However in Israel, Yom Hazikaron is the very essence of understanding the significance of, and elevating the joy of, Yom Haatzmaut as the modern Jewish people’s moment of national independence. There is no more powerful uniting force for the Jewish people than the commemoration of Yom Hazikaron, and its unique transition into the celebration of Yom Haatzmaut.

Yet, this unity of Israel on Yom Haatzmaut is as stirring as it is paradoxical. It is collectively celebrated without prejudice, but it is inspired by a diverse set of ideologies that become compatible even when they conflict. It is a consequence of the ingathering of exiles, and it is a further wonder of the modern State that is unique.  It is this unity that will no doubt will provide ultimate purpose to Israel, making the concept of the “Start Up Nation” a means to an end, and not an end within its own right.

As a Religious Zionist, I believe that Jews who are not religious are as Jewish as Jews who are. However, birthright aside, I remain pained by non-religious Jews who wish to take all the benefits and richness of Judaism without accepting the obligations that accompany Jewish identity. In a Diaspora construct, such Jews place Jewish continuity at risk. I have come to understand that in Israel this dynamic does not serve to function as the same motivator towards Jewish identity.  The “traditional” non-religious Jews of Israel are naturally and culturally attuned to Judaism in an entirely different way to their Diaspora counterparts.  This has both benefits and disadvantages, but the safeguarding of Jewish identity is not at risk of destruction from within Midenat Yisrael. It should however, remain a national concern for all Jews everywhere, and Israel must work to further uncover and display its Jewish consciousness.

Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Jacobsen writes as follows (paraphrased quote):

“The solution for the Jewish people is not to deny its otherness. That will never work. Rather, the Jew ought to embrace his or her Jewishness, and be proud with the lifestyle and moral ethic of Torah. When we learn how to embrace our otherness with love and grace, rather than with shame and guilt, it will become a source of admiration and inspiration for all of humanity.

The presence of a Jew who is permeated by the love and dignity of Torah and Mitzvos—speaks for itself. Reb Chaim of Volozhin once remarked: “If a Jew doesn’t make Kiddush (to sanctify himself by maintaining a distinctly Jewish lifestyle), then the non-Jew will make Havdalah for him (by making the Jew realize he is truly different).”

Israel, for example, will never succeed portraying itself to the world as “a regular country.” Its choice is either to run from its destiny or to embrace it, and thus become a source of pride for the entire world.”

Indeed, Israel faces challenges beyond those that Australia or any other nation could tolerate. Yet it rises above. Israel’s fallen are recalled, but the nation of Israel carries that commemoration forward with purpose and a party of the likes of no other. Israel has a special purpose in this world, a purpose that becomes more evident and obvious with each passing year. Israel will deliver the example of sustainable technology, ecological balance, economic prosperity, and spirituality to the world, and once again be a light unto the nations. Therefore we embrace the memory of the fallen and carry their legacy straight into the recognition of national independence. We celebrate for them, we celebrate with them, and we continue to build a future that has unlimited functional capacity.

The Biblical covenant of the brit bain habtarim was a pact made by God with Abraham. It foreshadowed the long historical process by which the Jewish people would become God’s Nation. Israel at 64 is evident work in progress towards the fulfillment of this covenant.

May we all remember the fallen soldiers of Israel and Australia, and from across both countries work to hasten the universal spiritual identity of the modern Jewish nation.

There is a biblical injunction that invokes the command of “Justice, Justice shall you pursue”.

In Western Australia, our justice system is grossly under-resourced and grossly over liberated.

At the defensive end we have a police force that struggles to make itself visible, and is seemingly under-resourced to meet the demands that the public have for their safety and security to be protected. It is not the fault of the police themselves, all of whom perform outstanding public service and put themselves at the front line against crime for our benefit. However when it comes to serious matters such as property theft, negligence on the roads, out of control parties and domestic abuse, much of the onus of the reporting and recording of crimes is at the behest of the (often traumatised) victim. If there is any investigative activity or recovery/restitution beyond the production of statistics, then the victim is very fortunate indeed.

At the preventative end of crime we have a judicial system, also overloaded, and constrained by legal fiction and technicalities. The system delivers sentences to convicted criminals that do not provide disincentives to reoffend, that are not punitive, that often both insult victims of crime and make them fearful of future retribution. Jail does not rehabilitate, sentences are short, criminals are returned to the street and often remain a danger to those who abide by the law.

The vast majority of people are honest and respectful of the law and the community. However there are an increasing number of people who are a danger to others, abusers of substances, perpetrators of violence, and thieves. Retailers are losing hard earned margins to shoplifters, people are losing property to burglars, and employers are losing profits to fraud. Even more concerning are the people who lose their health , limbs, and confidence in the trust of others due to physical crime.

Very close to where I live there was a road death last week. A women was killed in a car crash due to a police car engaged in a pursuit at the intersection of Morley and Alexander Drive. The police are wearing the blame for engaging in a high speed chase. Yet the media have not drawn sufficient nexus between the tragic accident, and the circumstances which led to the police chase in the first instance. Everyone feels for the family whose lives have been torn to shreds in an instant. This accident could have been avoided in many ways, but the catalyst for the accident were the actions of the criminal, not the police who were trying to keep us safe. It could have been me in that car or any member of my family. I happened not to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. But I do not blame the police for doing their job, and I am satisfied that they have an ongoing role to chase and apprehend lawbreakers.

There is another example of weak justice that I was astounded to recently see relates to the convicted criminal Brendon O’Connell. This person was sentenced to a 3 year prison term for racial vilification against the Jewish community. Through his trial he showed no remorse, and evidenced that he is indeed a danger to society.

Brendon is currently in prison. Yet from within the environment of his detention, the means still exist for him to perpetrate the very crime he was convicted of.  There are a number of websites, facilitated by Brendon himself, that include statements and broadcasts from Brendon, where he continues to repeat the absurd allegations and level the same threats that landed him in prison in the first place.

I have not put a link to the websites concerned as I do not wish to promote any online traffic that would add to the glorification that Brendon seeks.  However to demonstrate my point, here is a short transcript from one of the recorded phone conversations of Brendon, speaking from behind bars, which promulgates his hatred and threatening activity:

“I will do anything and everything to reveal what has gone on in these past 15 months.

…They are not little Gods, they are not the Pharisees of old, untouchables, they will be made accountable by the public. And, because, Brendan has had enough, and all you are doing is really annoying me. I don’t go down, I don’t submit to this. If you want me to submit to the law then follow the law.”

This, and many other recordings of a similar nature are online here and now, and can be accessed with ease.  Brendon repeats his paranoia about Jewish control, Israeli surveillance, and cites the names of members of the Jewish community that he claims exhort political and financial control, amongst a range of other canards.

It baffles belief that somebody can be removed from society for crimes, that they are then able to continue to commit whilst incarcerated. It is no different to proving drugs to a cannabis addict while in prison.  Our justice system is so weak that it cannot prevent Brendon O’Connell, a vexatious (yet, according to the magistrate, sane) criminal from continuing with his crusade, and continuing to reach the community with intimidating threats and lies.

Ultimately this man will be released from prison, and will then pose a risk to everyone. In the meantime, surely our justice system needs to be strengthened to stop this nonsense. Surely Mr O’Connell has forfeited his right to liberty, including making phone calls, as a result of abusing the privilege of open communication outside of the prison environment?

Brendon could of course use his opportunity of being in prison to reflect on his blind and unabated hatred of Jewish people, to rehabilitate himself, and return to society as a tolerant and productive contributor. He has already and obviously demonstrated that he has not changed his mind, and that even whilst serving a sentence for the crime of racial vilification, he continues to offend (both criminally and prejudicially) by placing anti-Semitic remarks into the public domain.

In most countries around the world this would not be tolerated. Sadly, this is just one further example of how Australia’s justice system is simply too weak to afford due respect to the victims of crime.

Each year I am moved by the JCCWA Holocaust Commemoration.  The Perth Jewish community consistently stages a relevant, dignified and thought provoking presentation to mark Yom Hashoa. 

Each year I also try hard to relate as best I can to the Shoah.  Through genealogical research I have discovered and unraveled the spine chilling impact that the Shoah had on many branches of my family.  I can see stories that directly relate to the imprisonment and murder of my relatives.  I can view pages of testimony online, and I can only wonder what might have been had an entire generation of European Jewry not been anhililated. 

Yet, like so many others, I have been desensitised by the fantasy world of Holocaust theatre.  I have never been able to take Holocaust movies with romantic plots and heroism against the odds, let alone the comedy of the Holocaust (be it Hogan’s Hero’s or the black comedy of Inglorius Bastards) and fit it to the paradigm of what the Shoah actually was. 

That a civilised world could be consumed by an ostensibly legitimate political system based on a platform of genocide is beyond comprehension.  That the scale of manufactured production line death could be the product of humanity is a destruction of faith in humankind.  That a Jewish nation can arise so magnificently in the post-Holocaust era, develop itself into a technological and economic powerhouse within the space of a generation, and still be revilled by the repugnant scrouge of anti-Semitism for having the chutzpah to simply exist, is a baffling phenomonena that can be explained in no-less rational terms than the Shoah that preceeded it. 

Yom Hashoa grows in significance each year, as those who bear living testimony depart from our midst.  Please take the time to mark the occasion, by not missing the opportunity to reflect on the relevance of the Shoah to our contemporary and politically fractured world.

- If you are in Perth, please make an effort to attend this week’s commemoration.  If you are out of Perth, please make an effort to mark the occasion in solidarity with your community.

- Obtain a copy of Ellie Weisel’s book “Night” and force yourself to read it.

- In addition to the commemoration, bring awareness to Yom Hashoah by discussing the significance of the Shoah with those around you; your family, friends, colleagues, and neighbours.

In the course of discussing the Shoah, make sure to remind those who you engage with that when the Jewish people say “never again” that they mean it.  When the Jewish people hear people say that they wish to wipe them from the face of the planet, that they will believe it.  Finally, that the 70 year difference between the Jewish world in 1942 and 2012 is that 70 years ago there was no Jewish nation to defend the heritage of our people, but today we have returned to our homeland.  It is the only nation we have, we are entitled to our birthright, and we will make it shine as a light unto the nations.

May the memory of the Shoah be forever ingrained on the consciousness of humanity.