The Executive Council of Australian Jewry has called for restraint amid an escalating diplomatic row between Australia and Israel, warning that a tit-for-tat approach could damage decades of cooperation.
Tensions have flared after the Albanese government cancelled the visa of Israeli MP Simcha Rothman, prompting the Netanyahu government to revoke visas for Australian diplomats in the Palestinian territories.
The Council’s co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin urged both governments not to jeopardise hard‑won ties across trade, security and science.
“Allies with extensive economic, scientific and cultural ties should not be engaging in a diplomatic tit-for-tat that erodes the goodwill and cooperation built up over decades,” Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said.
“Calm heads need to take control of the situation otherwise there will be a risk to some $2 billion dollars in bilateral trade, extensive investment in Australian start-ups, vital security cooperation and the Israeli-made medicine and medical technology that we all rely on.
“There are real-life consequences here and we want to see the countries work through any issues before things get out of hand.”