The 60th anniversary of Israel is an occasion for celebration by Jews throughout the world. The international community supported the establishment of Israel in 1948 as atonement for the horrendous persecution that Jews both East and West had experienced culminating in the Nazi Holocaust, and to provide an ongoing sanctuary for Jews fleeing anti-Semitism.
For Jews, the formation of Israel gave them a renewed sense of hope in what had appeared to be a brutally unjust world. Today most view identification with Israel as a central component of their Jewish life and identity, and feel an enormous sense of pride in the Jewish state's achievements.
But conversely we also need to recognise that most Palestinians see 1948 as a time of mourning due to their experience of the al-Nakba (the 'Catastrophe'). These conflicting narratives of hope versus suffering are also reflected within the Australian context.
In late March the Australian Parliament passed a motion celebrating and commending the achievements of the State of Israel over 60 years. The motion specifically noted the democratic tradition shared by Australia and Israel as reflected in a common commitment to civil and human rights and cultural diversity.
The motion was widely welcomed by Australia's Jewish community on two counts. First, Australian Jews view Australia's friendship with Israel as a barometer of Australia's traditionally tolerant and positive approach to its Jewish citizens. Second, most Australian Jews have close friendship and family ties with Israel. For example, my maternal grandfather was born in the ancient city of Safed early in the 20th century, and my aunt and uncle and their many children and grandchildren all live in Israel.
Australian Jews are proud of Israel's survival despite 60 years of ongoing political and military conflict with the Palestinians and much of the Arab world. They admire Israel's successful integration of Jews from all over the world ranging from Holocaust survivors to the mass of refugees from Arab countries in the 1950s to more recent arrivals from Ethiopia and the former Soviet Union.
They appreciate Israel's ability to provide a decent home for all its citizens relatively free of the religious fundamentalism, political oppression, misogyny and everyday violence that afflicts much of the Middle East. And they laugh about the huge political, social and religious diversity of Israeli society including everything from ultra-orthodox 'black hats' to gay rights marchers.
In contrast, most Australian Palestinians continue to regret the