Fed: Jewish communities rally behind Israel

AAP General News (Australia)
08-15-2001
Fed: Jewish communities rally behind Israel

SYDNEY, Aug 15 AAP - Jews around Australia will next week join communities in three
other countries via video-link in a show of solidarity with Israel in the wake of recent
Palestinian suicide bombings.

Jewish communities in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and the Gold Coast will be linked with
groups in New Zealand, England and Israel on Monday.

Organised by the Organisation of Rabbis Australasia and the Association of Principals
of Jewish Dayschools Australasia, the link-up will be addressed by Israel's chief rabbi
Yisrael Meir Lau and England's chief rabbi Jonathan Sacks.

Organisers are still hoping to have Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon available for
the link-up.

The solidarity rally comes in the wake of two Palestinian suicide bombings in Jerusalem
and Haifa that killed up to 18 people and injured scores of others.

Among the casualties was Australian-born teenager, Malki Roth, killed while enjoying
a kosher pizza with her best friend in a Jerusalem restaurant last Thursday.

It is hoped that during the rallies, money will be raised for Magen David Adom, Israel's
ambulance service, which has had resources stretched since violence in the Middle East
escalated 10 months ago.

AAP sal/jjs/ns

KEYWORD: MIDEAST AUST

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