San Remo Agreement

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (15:38): I rise today to peak about the 100^th anniversary of the San Remo Agreement, which will be commemorated on 25 April this year—obviously ANZAC Day, as it is known in Australia. The San Remo Agreement validates the State of Israel's existence. After the end of World War I this document was signed in San Remo in Italy by the four principal allied powers. The prime ministers of Britain, France, Italy and Japan joined together in a significant and now historic moment. Obviously, as I said, in Australia it coincides with ANZAC Day.

The agreement established the region of Palestine as the national home for the Jewish people, and has been described as Israel's Magna Carta. This agreement is still considered a hallmark of Jewish people's rights in Israel, and is adopted by the League of Nations and signed by 51 countries. This is an important date to commemorate, in particular, for the Australian Jewish community.

In February of this year, a group of both Australian and American politicians, as well as over 200 members of the Australian Jewish and Christian community, were able to attend the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast in Canberra. Also in attendance were leaders from New Zealand, the Indigenous communities and Pacific islands, including Fiji, the Solomon Islands and the Cook Islands.

It was the 14^th event of its kind globally and a celebration in prayer of the Jewish religion in particular. In addition to this event, Israel's President, Reuven Rivlin, met the Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, and Governor-General, David Hurley. The President expressed his appreciation for Australia's friendship and commitment to the State of Israel and to the Australian Jewish community. He noted that the diplomatic relationship between Australia and Israel was one of the, in his words, 'cornerstones of Israel diplomacy' and that the connection between the people of these two countries is strong and important.

During World War I, Australian soldiers were present in the crucial battles for Gaza and Beersheba, particularly in reference to the legendary Light Horse Brigade. Members may recall that H.V. Evatt, the Australian foreign minister in 1947, served as the chairman of the UN General Assembly Ad Hoc Committee on Palestine and assisted in getting the UN partition plan through. Australia voted in favour of this plan, of course, even though there was pressure from the United Kingdom to abstain from our support for the partition.

ANZAC Day is celebrated in Israel at the Commonwealth War Cemetery on Mount Scopus in Jerusalem. The Australian Soldier Park in Beersheba is dedicated to the memory of the Australian Light Horse regiment that charged at Beersheba and defeated the Turks in that famous battle in World War I.

In Australia, the Beersheba Vision organisation highlights and places importance on advancing our shared ANZAC heritage. This relationship emerged from this particular battle all those years ago, which took place on 31 October 1917. The organisation reiterates how important it is to remember the Australian presence in the Middle East and the soldiers who fought there and did not make it home.

The Beersheba vision is another example of the ongoing importance of this history, which they frame in discussion to advance religion, education and culture in schools, churches and of course in the Jewish communities. This further highlights the lasting nature of the relationship, with Australian soldiers assisting the allied powers to victory in World War I. This victory is what made the San Remo Agreement itself possible.

As always, as we face an uncertain future, it is important to commemorate and remember our own Australian history, as well as our shared history with those around the globe. This is truly one of those agreements that we should remember fondly.