The Hon. Alexander Downer

Probably true to the spirit of the tall poppy syndrome few of us were even aware that the Australian Foreign Minister visited Israel only a few weeks ago.
“Well what of it?” one may ask.
In my case that apathy stirred my curiosity and I tried to check out what all the lack of fuss is about. From my point of view, one of the by products of that indifference is that I didn’t exactly find a wealth of material debating the merits and flaws of Alexander Downer’s policy approach in relation to Israel, so I suspect the words below will be open to criticism for a lack of critical analysis.
I think it’s fair to say that Alexander Downer is pro Israel. He sees Australia and Israel having shared values, like democratic government, market based economies and vibrant civil societies and cultures. It would be hard to ignore the fact that both economies are riding the wave of globalisation with considerable success, another common interest. Depending on your political point of view (and I clearly don’t want to take sides on this site) Australia’s direct contribution to seeking a settlement between Israel and the Palestinians based on a two state solution runs counter to or confirms that sentiment.
I presume that in lieu of the fact that Alexander Downer’s tenure as foreign minister has run the length of John Howard’s prime ministership, making him Australia’s longest serving foreign minister that pretty much equates Downer’s views with Australian foreign policy. Tachlis, how does Downer’s and Australian policy manifest itself in relation to Israel?
I’m making an educated guess here but one of the key issues discussed between Ehud Olmert and Alexander Downer would most likely have been in the field they call counter terrorism. It’s well enough known that Australia has its own headaches with Islamic extremists, most notably registered in the Bali bombings. If you take into consideration the fact that Australia has taken on the role of regional power in the last decade or so, and has major economic ties with Asia that it would want to protect, e.g. China and India, it makes sense that counter terrorism is one of the areas where Downer has developed and expanded ties between Australia and Israel; no doubt part of his formulation of Australia’s national security policy. Of course it goes without saying that Australia has a military presence in Iraq and Afghanistan, and Australian units were active especially in western Iraq in order to suppress any attempt by Saddam Hussein to bomb Israel during the invasion of Iraq.
Alexander Downer has been outspoken in his opposition to anti-Israeli propaganda especially in the United Nations. Brad Haynes, a former senior adviser to the minister, says that Downer has ensured that Australia consistently votes in support of Israel and against what he calls the “extreme” Palestinian resolutions in the U.N. In the cover story in the latest edition of the IACC News Haynes says, “He moved Australia away from the fence-sitting abstentions and rightly said no.” I think you could call that putting your money where your mouth is, in spite of U.N. peer pressure.
Australian Israeli bilateral ties are vibrant and strong. Look at the Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce and Israel Trade Commission sites to get an idea of the bilateral economic activity going on between our two countries. To quote James Larson, the Australian Ambassador to Israel, “Opportunities for further economic engagement, particularly in areas of mutual interest including infrastructure, biotechnology, water management and ITC will continue to be a key focus of our efforts.” Take note of the recent agreement signed between Fuad Ben-Eliezer and Malcolm Turnbull (Federal Minister for the Environment and Water Resources) underscoring the commitment of both countries to work together on water technologies and solutions and the opening of the Chair of Modern Israeli Studies at Monash University .
Likewise Alexander Downer encourages exchanges of young Australian diplomats to Israel and has supported the activities of various Jewish organisations. For example not only did Alexander Downer open this years AICE Australian film festival last month but in 2002 co-launched the Australia Israel Cultural Exchange with Bibi Netanyahu (then Foreign Minister) in a Canberra-Jerusalem satellite link up.
Alexander Downer is also perceived as a consistent opponent of anti Semitism in Australia. In an interview in the Middle East Quarterly the minister was asked: The Australian parliament last year (2004) adopted a resolution that resolved "to encourage Australian ambassadors and other officials engaged in bilateral contacts with other countries to use their influence to oppose and counter anti-Semitic expressions and to promote all possible efforts at fostering tolerance and community harmony." How do you see this policy being put into effect?
Downer replied, “... the Australian government has been dismayed by signs of increased anti-Semitism around the world. Anti-Semitism in any form is unacceptable, in Australia or anywhere else. We will condemn it whenever and wherever it appears. Our deeply held Australian values of tolerance, diversity, and multiculturalism must be respected and nurtured so that bitterness and resentment of others do not spread in our communities. Australian life and society have been enriched and strengthened by our Jewish community, which has contributed in a multitude of ways to enhanced tolerance and social cohesion. ...I continue to urge other world leaders to take up this challenge and join us in condemning every form of this corrosive racism. Similarly, all Australian heads of mission overseas and officials from Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will work to promote Australia's position in this regard in their daily work.”