Australian PM Turnbull visits Israel 30 October 2017
Israeli Missions Around The World MFA Press Room 2017 Australian PM Turnbull visits Israel 30 October 2017

Visit to Israel of H.E. Malcolm Turnbull, Prime Minister of Australia

  • 10/30/2017
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    A centerpiece of the visit will be PM Turnbull's participation on 31/10, together with PM Netanyahu, in the centenary events commemorating the Battle of Be’er Sheva in 1917, considered as perhaps the defining battle of WWI.
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    ​(Communicated by MFA Spokesperson's Bureau)

    The Prime Minister of Australia, H.E. Malcolm Turnbull arrives today in Israel for a three-day visit accompanied by his wife Ms. Lucy Turnbull and senior Ministers and officials of the Australian Government.
     
    The programme for the visit includes a private dinner between the Prime Ministers and their spouses, a working session at the Prime Minister's office, meetings with the President H.E. Reuven Rivlin and the Leaders of the Opposition and a tour of Yad Vashem, as well as other events pertaining to Australian-Israeli relations. During the course of the visit, a Memorandum of Understanding on industrial cooperation in the field of defence will be signed.  Among the topics to be discussed between the two leaders are enhanced collaboration in the field of Cyber Security and cooperation in the field of modern agricultural and defence technologies
     
    A centerpiece of the visit will be PM Turnbull's participation on 31/10, together with PM Netanyahu, in the centenary events commemorating the Battle of Be’er Sheva in 1917, considered as perhaps the defining battle of WWI. Close to 3000 Australian dignitaries, politicians, public officials and members of the public will be coming to Israel specifically for these Centenary Commemorative ceremonies.
     
    Also attending the ceremonies will be the Leader of the Opposition and Head of the Australian Labour Party, H.E. Bill Shorten, who has also always been an avid supporter of Israel.
     
    Australia and Israel enjoy an excellent bilateral relationship, supported by both major parties in the Australian Parliament, a relationship predicated on shared values and fields of interest and concern including the struggle against terrorism and extremism. Australia has long been an advocate of Israel's striving for peace and security, including in international fora.
     
    The visit comes just a few months after the visit of PM Netanyahu to Australia in February, the first ever of an Israeli Prime Minister. This will be the first visit to Israel of PM Turnbull since assuming office.