(2/2) Two years later in 1949, Australia officially recognised the new state of Israel and presided over the vote which formally committed Israel to the UN.
We are proud of what we did then and we remain so proud today.
We stood up when it mattered then and now.
Israel can always depend on Australia.
We believe in the nation of Israel.
Finally, may I express my gratitude to the WZO and the ZFA, the Zionist Council of NSW for bestowing this prestigious award on me and all of your kindness for being here tonight to be part of this.
As I said, it means a great deal.
I visited Israel long before I entered Parliament and like so many, I feel that deep familiarity.
You cannot walk on that land without it sinking into you. You can't.
The bible stories I learned as a child that mean so much to me today, that my parents and grandparents read to me and lived out in their own lives.
Israel has a place in my heart, a place that deserves peace and prosperity, worthy of the faiths and cultures that have grown out of our Holy Land.
In accepting this award, I see it as another manifestation of the friendship between Australia and Israel.
In standing true with Israel, I just see it as doing my job as an Australian Prime Minister.
That's what I believe is expected of an Australian Prime Minister and it is my great thrill to be able to perform that role, my great personal thrill, and so it's nice to get an award for doing your job, but what it really is about I think is a celebration particularly of my role as Prime Minister of the tremendous relationship there is between the two countries, and that will remain.
We are a steadfast friend, since its modern creation, to Israel, and our commitment remains as firm today as it was 70 years ago, if not deeper and stronger.
Thank you so much.
Attached: realissue.jpg (259x194, 14.91K)
