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July 20, 2018
Federal Senator for Victoria James Paterson and Federal Member for Goldstein Tim Wilson have joined forces with State MP for Caulfield David Southwick to form the Liberal Friends of Israel (LFI).The Three politicians will officially launch the group this Sunday at an event attended by Victorian Opposition leader Matthew Guy, former Australian Ambassador to Israel David Sharma and a Number of other Liberal Party MPs.The aims of the LFI are to deepen the relationship between Israel, the Liberal Party and Australia as a whole, to advocate for Israel, campaigning against attempts to delegitimise it and to provide an opportunity for members of the Jewish community to get behind the liberal party in its support for Israel.Noting the longstanding relationship between the party and Israel, Paterson said, "Under Menzies, Fraser, Howard and now Malcolm Turnbull as Prime Minister, the Liberal Party has been a friend of Israel and the Jewish community both locally and on the international stage for decades. The Liberal friends of Israel will foster that friendship at a grassroots level, uniting Liberal and Jewish communities in support of our shared values."Reflecting on his involvement, Wilson said, "I'm proud to represent an electorate that has one of the largest Jewish communities in Australia, and equally proud to stand side by side with one of our most important allies -- Israel. Liberal Friends of Israel is designed to push back against the BDS delegitimacy campaign and show Liberals and Goldstein residents stand with Israel for peace, stability and liberal democratic values."Emphasising how proud he was to be a Liberal MP in a party that has been steadfast in its support for Israel, Southwick added, "We are inviting people from all faiths and backgrounds to join and unite behind the Liberal Party in their support for Israel".This article was originally published in the Australian Jewish News.
