By COLlive reporter
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with members of Sydney’s Jewish community on Wednesday, during the first ever state visit of Australia by a sitting Prime Minister.
Netanyahu was greeted by over 2,000 people at an event with Australian Prime Minister Malcom Turnbull at the Central Synagogue in Bondi Junction, led by Chabad Rabbi Levi Wolff.
Among the attendees of the meeting were former Australian Prime Ministers John Howard and Tony Abbott, both members of the Liberal Party and noted supporters of Israel.
“I want to bring all of you greetings from Jerusalem, our eternal capital – never to be divided again,” said Netanyahu, who received a standing ovation.
The Israeli leader sparked huge applause for speaking out about the need to “battle against those who seek to demonize Jews”, referring to a resurgence in anti-Semitism in many parts of the world.
“It is something we need to fight together,” he said. “I think this is important in Europe. It’s important in America. It’s very important that President Trump took a strong stand against anti-Semitism.”
Before the event, Rabbi Wolff presented Prime Minister Netanyahu with a framed photo of his meeting with the Lubavitcher Rebbe at Lubavitch World Headquarters 770 in Brooklyn, NY, specially prepared by the JEM Living Archives photo collection.
“It was an emotional moment for the Prime Minister,” said Rabbi Wolff.
Netanyahu commented, “This was a great moment, when the Grand Rabbi said to me, ‘you’re going into a house of lies.’ This was an amazing moment that helped shaped how I view the world, that I have to be a candle of truth.”
Video: Presenting Netanyahu with a photo of his meeting with the Rebbe
Video: Prime Minister Netanyahu speaks at Sydney Synagogue
Best speech ever Netanyahu keep up the great work 👍👍
BS”D Go Levi best of Mo’Town, you and yours give the Rebbe a lot of Nachas, keep you the Great work
wow that is such a mazing story thank you so much for sharing with us God bless you prime minister Natantya and Rabbi Wolff