2024 marks 75 years of bilateral relations between Australia and Israel
Israel and Australia established full diplomatic relations in the early days of Israel statehood.
The relations between our two nations began during World War I, when hundreds of young Australians played a crucial role in the Allied forces' campaign in the Middle East.
Many Israelis still remember the pictures of those brave men - particularly the legendary Light Horse Brigade - which fought in the crucial battles for Gaza and Beersheba. Memorials in Jerusalem and military cemeteries are reminders of our mutual desire for shared democratic values, liberalism, freedom and human rights.
Australia was also one of the first countries to recognise the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. Ever since that time, it has shown a commitment to its peaceful existence.
As peoples, Israelis and Australians share common values. These values are well manifested in the overall span of our bilateral relations.
The scope of cooperation between our two countries has always been wide. Through technological experience, coordinated research, and information exchange, there is no doubt we can develop an ever-greater cooperation in the future. Israel looks forward to it.
Battle of Beersheba
On 31 October 1917, the heavily fortified town of Beersheba was the scene of a historic charge by the 4th Australian Light Horse Brigade. The taking of Beersheba was the first crucial step in bringing an end to Ottoman rule in Palestine and began a chain of events that culminated in the establishment of Israel in 1948.
Battle of Samakh
On 25 September 1918, Samakh was the scene of a short action between Australian light horsemen and a mixed force of Turks and Germans. The 4th Light Horse Brigade, under Brigadier General William Grant, was sent to capture Samakh, which was significant due to its position on the Damascus railway line. The Australians charged the town and 365 prisoners were taken.
Holocaust Aftermath
In the aftermath of the Second World War, about 27,000 survivors of the Holocaust migrated to Australia. Australia has taken in the second higher amount of Holocaust survivors per capita, after Israel.
Doc Evatt
Minister for External Affairs, Dr Herbert Vere Evatt, chaired the UN's Ad Hoc Committee in 1947, which proposed a partition plan suggesting the creation of separate Jewish and Arab states. Evatt understood the importance of a Jewish homeland, and intensely lobbied behind the scene, ensuring the crucial two-thirds majority needed was achieved. In the UN General Assembly vote on 29 November 1947, the partition was approved. Australia was the first country to vote "Yes". As the first nation to vote in favour of the resolution, Australia has been described as the midwife at the rebirth of the State of Israel in 1948.
Photo credit: Nationaal Archief, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Foreign Minister Moshe Sharett Visit
Minister Sharett visited Australia in May 1958. It was the first official visit by a serving Israeli cabinet Minister to Australia.
Minister for External Affairs Hasluck Visit
Minister for External Affairs, Paul Hasluck, was the first serving Australian cabinet Minister to make an official visit to Israel, in March 1966.
Photo credit: Australian News & Information Service - National Archives of Australia, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=64005999
Operation Mazurka
Operation Mazurka is Australia's contribution to the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) in the Sinai, a non-UN organisation established in 1981 to monitor compliance by Egypt and Israel with the 1979 Peace Treaty.
President Chaim Herzog Visit
Israeli President Chaim Herzog visited Australia in November 1986. President Herzog was he first serving Israeli President to visit Australia.
Photo credit: מאת יד ביד Pikiwiki Israel, CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=122680649
Prime Minister Bob Hawke Visit
In January 1987, Prime Minister Bob Hawke made the first visit of a serving Australia Prime Minister to Israel. Hawke had a deep personal interest in Israel and Jewish affairs. In 1986 he introduced a motion to the Australian parliament deploring the 1975 UN "Zionism is racism" resolution and called for its rescission. To honour Hawke's advocacy for Israel and the Jewish people, the Jewish National Fund established and dedicated the Australian Israel Friendship Forest in the Galilee to him in 1988.
Photo credit: Commonwealth of Australia 2011 - https://www.civicsandcitizenship.edu.au/cce/hawke_bob,15391.html, CC BY-SA 3.0 au, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=73902005
Defence Minister Ray Visit
In April 1995, Australia’s Defence Minister Robert Ray came to Israel for an official visit.
Photo credit: Parliament @ Work - Image link - Biography link, CC BY 3.0 au, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=98823950
Prime Minister Howard Visit
Australian Prime Minister John Howard held an official visit to Israel in April 2000.
Photo credit: By File:Howard John BANNER.jpg: © Commonwealth of Australia 2011derivative work: Georgfotoart - This file was derived from: Howard John BANNER.jpg:, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=148002680
Postal Services and Telecommunications
In December 2002, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Government of The State of Israel and The Government of Australia concerning cooperation in the fields of postal services and telecommunications.
Israel-Victoria R&D Bilateral Agreement
Funding support for market-oriented collaborative research and development (R&D) projects by Victorian (Australia) and Israeli companies.
President Katzav Visit
In February 2005, Israeli President Moshe Katzav visited Australia.
Foreign Minister Downer Visit
In June 2007, Australia’s Foreign Minister Alexander Downer visited Israel.
Photo credit: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website – www.dfat.gov.au, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=33639862
Israel's 60th Anniversary
On 12 March 2008, the Australian Parliament passed a bipartisan motion congratulating Israel on 60 years of statehood.
Announcing Tel Aviv as "Innovation Landing Pad"
In December 2015, the Australian federal government, as part of its new innovation and science agenda, announced Tel Aviv as an "innovation landing pad" for Australian entrepreneurs.
Photo credit: By Ynhockey - This file has been extracted from another file, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=145326834
Work and Holiday Visa Arrangement
In 1 June 2016, a reciprocal work and holiday visa arrangement between Australia and Israel commenced, enabling Israeli and Australian aged 18-30 to enjoy an extended holiday in Australia or Israel respectively, during which they may undertake short term work and study. The arrangement's scope started with an annual cap of 500 visas in Israel and 500 in Australia per year.
Prime Minister Netanyahu Visit
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Australia in February 2017.
Defence Industry Cooperation
In October 2017, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on defence industry cooperation was signed.
New South Wales (NSW) – Israel R&D Cooperation Program
Financial grants to facilitate, support and encourage research & development (R&D) partnerships between NSW and Israel based entities.
Defence Cooperation
Defence officials began annual strategic talks in 2018 and in early 2019. Australia appointed a resident Defence Attaché to the Embassy in Tel Aviv.
Israel-Australia Industrial R&D Agreement (Federal)
Funding support for Industrial technological collaborative research and development (R&D) projects by Australian and Israeli companies.
Cyber Security Cooperation
In January 2019, following a series of reciprocal visits and dialogue, the Australia and Israel signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on cyber security cooperation.
Double Taxation Agreement
In March 2019, a Double Taxation Agreement was signed between Australia and Israel.
Australian Trade and Defence Office
In 2019, Australia opened a Trade and Defence Office in Jerusalem. The Office, which operates under Austrade, facilitates collaborations in the fields of trade, investment and defence industry on behalf of the Australian government.
Work and Holiday Visa Arrangement Update
The Australian government increased the annual cap of the 'Work and Holiday Visa' arrangement for young Israeli adults from 500 per year to 2500 per year.
President Rivlin Visit
Israeli President Reuven (Ruvi) Rivlin visited Australia in February 2020.
Photo credit: Kobi Gideon/GPO (from Australian Jewish News website)
Penny Wong Visit
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong visited Israel for an official trip during January 2024.