The Australian House of Representatives' Decision Regarding the Issue of the Kidnapped Soldiers

Shlomo Goldwasser, Udi’s father, was hosted by the Australian Jewish Federation.  There he was invited to attend several meetings and solidarity events.  Shlomo participated in two solidarity rallies that took place while he was in Australia:  the first one was in Melbourne on September 18 and the second in Sidney on September 19.  Hundreds of people came from the Jewish Community and also other Australian citizens who came to show their support and to call for the release of the soldiers.

The Australian government issued an official statement, whereby it states that Australia supports and calls for the release of the kidnapped Israeli soldiers.

Summary of this statement

The Australian House of Representatives has officially declared its support for the release of the kidnapped Israeli soldiers.

Following are selected quotes from the declaration of Australia’s ruling authorities:

 "...urges the Government to exert pressure on the terrorist organisations, their supporters and financial backers in the Gaza Strip and southern Lebanon, so that the missing soldiers are returned unharmed to their families and the country of Israel".

Senator Troeth described the kidnapping in detail and the current situation.  The Senator stressed that the situation is grave, especially in light of the fact that the abductions took place on Israeli sovereign soil.  He said, “The electorate in Victoria, for which I am patron senator, Melbourne Ports, has many families an Jewish organisations who are seriously interested in this case. Together with me, a senator, and others of goodwill, they are seriously asking our government and any international agencies to progress this case and find out the fate of the prisoners, whether the are still alive and when a release may be expevted.  As I said, it is bad enough at an international level but at an individual level wives and families of these soldiers are wondering what has happened to them after at least a year of captivity with no medical attention being instanced, no international visits being allowed and no bulletins on their condition. We have every right to be seriously worried and think it is a case our immediate attention..."

In addition to the efforts of the Israeli Foreign Ministry to inform the public regarding the situation of the kidnapping, the Australian Foreign Minister Mr. Alexander Downer has remarked as follows: "...Australia utterly condemns taking hostages for political purposes and calls for the immediate and unconditional release of the IDF soldiers...

will do nothing to advance the case of the Palestinian people. We are deeply concerned at the complicity of Hamas' armed wing in the initial attack and at the subsequent action by Hezbollah on the Israel Lebanon Border..."

To view and download the full statement of the House of Representatives - click here

To view and download the full statement of the Australian Senate - click here

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