Malcolm Turnbull, Mogul With Jewish Roots, Is New Australia Premier
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
Malcolm Turnbull, a multimillionaire who reportedly has Jewish roots, was sworn in as Australia’s new prime minister.
Turnbull became the country’s new leader on Tuesday, defeating Tony Abbott in a Labor Party leadership ballot on Monday. The pro-Israel Abbott resigned after the vote.
Turnbull spoke about his Jewish roots in a 2013 interview with the Australian Jewish News that had excerpts reprinted this week in the newspaper.
“My mother always used to say that her mother’s family was Jewish,” he said.
He also said, “I grew up in the eastern suburbs, and as we all observe there were a lot of Jews in the eastern suburbs, and I have always been very comfortable.
“There is no doubt that the strong traditions of family and the whole heimishe atmosphere of the Jewish community, which I’m sure some people don’t like, for me – as someone who is a good friend, but not part of it – I find very admirable.”
Turnbull has called for increased ties with Israel.
“We need to collaborate more with Israel, particularly on matters of science and technology. The more we can do with Israel, the better,” he said last month at the Zionist Federation of Australia’s 2015 plenary.
This is a moment of great uncertainty. Here’s what you can do about it.
We hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, we’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s independent Jewish news this Passover. All donations are being matched by the Forward Board - up to $100,000.
This is a moment of great uncertainty for the news media, for the Jewish people, and for our sacred democracy. It is a time of confusion and declining trust in public institutions. An era in which we need humans to report facts, conduct investigations that hold power to account, tell stories that matter and share honest discourse on all that divides us.
With no paywall or subscriptions, the Forward is entirely supported by readers like you. Every dollar you give this Passover is invested in the future of the Forward — and telling the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
The Forward doesn’t rely on funding from institutions like governments or your local Jewish federation. There are thousands of readers like you who give us $18 or $36 or $100 each month or year.
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
