In paying tribute to Tim Fischer, people remember him for a host of reasons. He was the Nationals leader who went against much of his constituency to support toughened gun laws. He was one of Australia's most effective trade ministers, and its first resident ambassador to the Vatican. He was on the wrong side of history when it came to Indigenous land rights, though unlike other conservatives who opposed Mabo, preferred not to use racialised language.
What I remember Fischer for is another allegation made against him. Some labelled him an anti-Semite for his repeated defence of Palestinian and Lebanese people, and for his trenchant criticism of Israel. Former Palestinian Ambassador Ali Kazak writes:
'Tim was highly critical of Israel's occupation, violations and aggression against its Arab neighbours. The Australian newspaper reported him on 21 July 1993 saying, "It is high time the West took off its rose-tinted glasses and examined the actions of Israel in detail." And the next day it reported him saying, "It's time we got back to the facts of the situation and examined all the facts associated with the complex issue of the Middle East" ...
'During one of our meetings, he asked, in astonishment, regarding Israel's prohibition of the export of Gaza's products to Europe, "How does the export of Gaza's cut flowers threaten Israel's security?"'
For student supporters of Palestinian rights, it was a tough time. I remember in 1990 at university, a Palestinian law student set up a table promoting Palestinian culture at Orientation Week. He was harassed and harangued, labelled an anti-Semite, and his Palestinian flags ripped as symbols of terrorism. Even after Arafat and Rabin shook hands on the White House lawn in 1993, speaking about Palestine was taboo in Liberal Party circles. Just ask part-Palestinian Liberal Joe Hockey.
My own views on the Middle East have somewhat mellowed since then, due largely to my own reading and notwithstanding the harassment I and other supporters of Palestinian rights have experienced over the years. Having the then Deputy Prime Minister on our side certainly provided us with the strength to continue speaking our truths.
I first met Fischer at a Liberal Party new members night following the successful 1996 election that saw the Liberal Party defeat Paul Keating and sweep the Howard government to power. A small group of us Young Liberals gathered at NSW Parliament House to celebrate. It was a chance to enjoy free booze (or in my case,