Australian Lawmaker Wins Jerusalem Prize

A prominent Australian Jewish lawmaker will receive the Jerusalem Prize from the World Zionist Organization and the Zionist Federation of Australia for his staunch support of Israel.

Michael Danby, the chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade, will receive the award in Melbourne Monday from Zionist officials in recognition of his “tireless” defense of Israel in federal parliament since he was elected for the Labor Party in 1998.

Zionist Council of Victoria President Sam Tatarka lauded Danby’s efforts, specifically his campaign against the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions protests outside Max Brenner chocolate shops across Australia.

“Australia is winning,” he said. “The boycott’s ideology is the ideology of Hamas, not a two-state solution but the abolition of Israel.”

The Jerusalem Prize is the highest accolade given by the local Zionist movement. Previous recipients include former Prime Ministers John Howard and Bob Hawke, and former Foreign Minister Alexander Downer.

Israel’s ambassador to Australia is expected to be present at the award ceremony, which will be addressed by Danby’s fellow parliamentarian, Mike Kelly, a former colonel who fought in the coalition forces in Iraq.

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