State Zionist Council of Victoria executive to mark 2nd year in captivity for Israel’s kidnapped soldiers and hear address by Evan Thornley MP

The Hon. Evan Thornley MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier of Victoria, will address the State Zionist Council of Victoria Executive on Tuesday July 8.

Mr Thornley led a high-level AICC “Innovation Mission” to Israel in April to examine Israel’s latest developments in information technology, energy and clean technology, biotechnology, science and education and will reflect on the visit.

Also addressing the SZCV Executive will be Anat Kiviti-Manor, close friend of kidnapped Israeli reservist Ehud Goldwasser and his wife, Karnit Goldwasser. Anat spoke at the State Zionist Council of Victoria rally “1 Year On…Where Are Gilad, Eldad and Ehud?” exactly 1 year ago on June 25, 2007. Attended by 1,000 people, the rally served to raise awareness for Ehud and Eldad Regev kidnapped in a cross-boarder raid by Hizbollah on July 12, 2006 and Gilad Shalit, kidnapped from his post near the Gaza border by Hamas exactly 2 years ago, on June 25, 2006. 

The SZCV conducted Blue Ribbon campaigns both in 2006 with the kidnappings, as a show of support for Israel with the outbreak of the Second Lebanon War, and then in 2007 to mark the 1 year anniversary of the kidnappings.

With recent developments in Israel and the possibility of Glad Shalit being returned as part of the ceasefire deal with Hamas and Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev being returned as part of a prisoner swap with Hizbollah, the SZC continues to keep the community up-to-date on news on the situation. SZCV President Dr Danny Lamm, currently in Israel, said “Our goal remains the same as it was 2 years ago when the news broke of the kidnappings of Gilad, Ehud and Eldad. We continue to do whatever we can, in terms of awareness in our own community and in the broader community to spotlight the plight of the 3 soldiers still in terrorist captivity after 2 years. The deals with Hamas and Hezbollah are both fraught with complexities and we stand in support of the Goldwasser, Regev and Shalit families in their efforts to return Ehud, Eldad and Gilad home as quickly as possible.”

For more information contact:
SZCV Executive Director, Ginette Searle 9272 5544
SZCV Director of Public Affairs, Elly Shalev 9272 5519

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The State Zionist Council of Victoria leads and encourages Jewish and Zionist activity and expression within Victoria, to represent the Jewish community, to promote and communicate Israel’s interests within the broader Victorian community and to promote Victoria’s relationship with Israel.
For more information, please visit the State Zionist Council of Victoria website www.szcvic.org