I've always wondered why certain countries are allied. Sometimes it is economics, sometimes it is shared values, sometimes it is common geography. Well, how does one explain the consistently warm relationship between Israel and Australia? Since Israel's birth in 1948, those relations have been consistently positive, with only a few bumps in the road: http://www.jcpa.org/JCPA/Templates/ShowPage.asp?DRIT=3&DBID=1&LNGID=1&TMID=111&FID=253&PID=0&IID=1927&TTL=A_Distant_Affinity:_The_History_of_Australian-Israeli_Relations. It's certainly easy to understand the affinity from the Israeli standpoint; Israel needs all the friends it can find. However, from the Australian standpoint, what does this friendship provide? Israel is not a strategic ally, nor is there a tremendous amount of trade between the two countries. It also doesn't seem to matter which political party is in power Down Under, be it Labour or the Conservatives. As well, Australia has no "powerful Jewish lobby", as is allegedly the case here in the U.S.
As I said, it's hard to explain, but I am glad for it nonetheless.
3 comments:
Didn't have a clue these two countries are allies...but because Australia is one of our best, come to think of it, I'm not surprised.
BTW, I think we should always post about only what fascinates us....
Perhaps an Australian will stumble by, but possibly it is freedom and democracy.
I'd say that these are two Western-oriented, democratic nations, peopled by folks who drive like maniacs and like beer. They have a lot in common, you know?
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