News and Events

Hostage return

Hostages Release

The people of Israel have been on an emotional roller coaster over the past few weeks with the release of hostages. Their families, who have been going between hope and despair for 16 months – demonstrating, advocating, and pressuring the Israeli government through any avenue they could, and meeting with leaders around the world to pressure Hamas – have finally managed to find some comfort with the release of their loved ones.

The entire Israeli people have been crying with them, tears of happiness when reunited with their loved ones. The spirit shown by these young 20 year old women has been a source of strength for an entire nation.

Yet all of them have said their happiness will not be complete until all remaining hostages are released. This spirit of solidarity ( Arvut haddait ) – mutual commitment –  is a unique unifying force of Israeli society. What may been seen by the opposing side as a weakness is in fact a source of strength. We look forward together with the rest of the people of Israel for the release of all hostages.

See below for some key events coming up and some important information to share with the community:

 

UIA Progressive Appeal 2025 Campaign Launch – “Don’t just give to Israel, change Israel.”

We would like to encourage everyone to support the UIA Progressive Appeal 2025

Attached please find a press release regarding the upcoming visit of IDF Major General (Ret) Noam Tibon and his wife Gali.

SYDNEY:
SUN 2 MARCH at 10am: Progressive Women (private home)
MON 3 MARCH at 7pm: Emanuel Synagogue
TUES 4 MARCH at 7pm: North Shore Temple Emanuel

MELBOURNE: THURS 6 MARCH at 7pm: Temple Beth Israel

PERTH: MON 10 MARCH at 7pm: Temple David

For further information and to attend one of the functions go to:

upj.org.au/uia-progressive -appeal/

 

Solidarity Mission to Israel

We are happy to share the attached solidarity mission organised by the

 National Council of Jewish Women Australia 

Register your interest here: https://events.humanitix.com/ncjwa-solidarity-volunteering-mission

Last but not least:

 Israeli democracy is at risk

You can help protect it ahead of the coming World Zionist Congress Please support the values of democracy liberalism and pluralism.

ARZA represents Australian Progressive Judaism and Progressive values at the World Zionist Congress to be held in 2025. Our delegates will team with Progressive delegates from around the world. We need your membership to make sure we can effectively represent Progressive values of democracy, social justice, human rights, equality for all, and religious pluralism at the Congress in the face of growing opposition.

The total number of Australian members of ARZA determines the number of votes we have at the Congress, where over $1 billion is allocated to programs in Israel and in the Diaspora. The fundamentalists are opposing progressive Judaism and are aggressively trying to undermine all that we stand for. They seek to cancel us,  reject reform and Conservative  conversions and question our children’s Jewish identity. They demand gender segregation in israeli society, roll back gains for religious pluralism, gender equity, LGBTQ+ rghts and strive to undermine democracy and adnvance ANTI-democratic, racist policies.

 

You can make a difference right now!

 

Here is the link to – join now:

https://arza-australia.square.site/

 

We need your help urgently!

 

2025-02-04T05:39:01+11:00February 2nd, 2025|News|

Ceasefire Deal

 

Happy New year,

We are delighted about the news for the release of the hostages still kept in the tunnels of Gaza hopefully starting next week.it is believed that several dozens are still alive and their release is being prioritised (although the release of all would have been the preferred option).

For the past few months we have witnessed dramatic changes in the geo political landscape. The Iranian axis has received serious blows, including the Hizbollah defeat in Lebanon; the destruction of Iranian air defence systems and other critical infrastructure , leaving their nuclear facilities and oil industry vulnerable, and most recently, the collapse of the Assad regime – a key ally of Iran and Hizbollah. The Houties in Yemen are the only force still showing signs of aggression with two long range missiles hitting central Israeli cities in the past week or two.

The weakening of the Shiite axis, together with the harm caused to Hamas military capabilities, has narrowed the immediate threats Israel is facing on multiple fronts, with potential strategic opportunities for a shift in its relationship with key countries in the Suni Muslim world, including Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Indonesia.

On the other hand, we are seeing a growing risk for a radical Sunni axis. The new leader of Syria, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, is an ex-Al Qaeda Jihadist purporting to showcase a moderate side, yet considering his history, this is not a likely long-term, reliable presumption one can make. His emerging patron Turkey, led by a Muslim brotherhood loyalist (sharing the same religious extremist ideology as Qatar and Hamas ) could form another potential threat on the Israeli border that has been relatively quiet since the 1973 Yom Kippur war. Learning the lessons of October 7, Israel pre-emptively conquered the Syrian side of Mount Hermon and other parts of the Golan Heights to create a security buffer zone to protect from potential militia and terrorist groups that are currently spread across Syria. Countries like Jordan and Egypt are also keeping a close eye on potential threats to their internal stability, as well as the Kurds and Druze communities who are potential targets for attack by the new Syrian regime and it’s allies.

European countries are also reacting by considering the return of their many Syrian refugees

The Israeli government must navigate this changing landscape as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends his corruption trial 3 days a week. In addition to this, the Israeli coalition is continuing its legislative initiatives aimed at weakening certain pillars of the democratic system such as the judiciary, the police and the public prosecution.

We are also witnessing the Palestinian Authority returning its governance in cities like Jenin that have been a stronghold of Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists.

It remains to be seen whether Israel is going to attack the Iranian nuclear facilities or would a new nuclear deal will be signed following President’s trump inauguration and what alternative governance system can be established in Gaza to replace Hamas.

We are looking forward to seeing the hostages released and reunited with their families

Le’shalom

Ayal Marek

ARZA

President

UPJ Cp Vice president

2025-01-16T10:10:59+11:00January 16th, 2025|News|

We Wont Stop Until They Are Back

As Progressive Zionists, we know that supporting a pluralist and egalitarian Israel is more important than ever post-October 7, and also because of the continued attempts to undermine Israeli democracy in the name of “judicial reforms”.

ARZA needs your membership to make sure we can effectively represent the Progressive values of democracy, social justice, human rights, equality for all, and religious pluralism at the World Zionist Congress in the face of growing opposition.

ARZA Australia will represent Australian Progressive Judaism and Progressive values at the World Zionist Congress to be held in 2025. Our delegates will team with Progressive delegates from around the world. The total number of Australian members of ARZA determines the number of votes we have at the Congress, where policies are debated and passed which effect the over $1 billion  allocated to programs in Israel and in the Diaspora.

Other streams are competing for promoting their values, many of which have a negative impact on what we believe in! Currently, religious-based parties supporting the growth of settlements in the West Bank and even in Gaza are recruiting members to their cause in the US and other Diaspora countries. They are building their voting blocks.

Many of you think you are members of ARZA but in fact are not, because your membership was not renewed either personally or through your synagogue!

Please join us to have our voice heard and make a real difference. We urge you to join now by clicking below. ARZA membership is only $1 until 30 December.

To join, please CLICK HERE.

2024-12-10T20:09:50+11:00December 10th, 2024|News|
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