Lexi Webster
Australia and Israel have a close relationship, with strong historical ties and broad commercial engagement. However, it is interesting to consider that Israel almost became a part of Australia. In 1939, Isaac Steinberg of the Freeland League for Jewish Territorial Colonization proposed the Kimberley Scheme, an infrastructure project in the sparsely inhabited region of northern Australia that would be built and run by Jewish people. This plan, which aimed to provide a safe home for 75,000 European Jews, was supported by the West Australian government but was ultimately rejected by the Commonwealth government.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of foundation | 1948 |
| Location | Australia |
| Founder | David Ben-Gurion, head of the Jewish Agency |
| Population | 75,000 European Jews |
| Region | Kimberley, Western Australia |
| Local people | Miriwoong people |
| Land size | Seven million hectares |
| Government | Parliamentary democracy |
| Legislature | The Knesset (120 members) |
| Election system | Proportional representation |
| Diplomatic relations with Australia | Established in 1949 |
| Australian embassy | Tel Aviv |
| Israeli embassy | Canberra |
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What You'll Learn
- Israel's founding in Australia would have impacted the Indigenous Miriwoong people
- The Freeland League's founder, Isaac Steinberg, proposed the Kimberley Scheme
- The Australian government rejected the Freeland League's proposal
- The US recognised Israel as a nation on the day of its establishment
- Australia and Israel have a close relationship, with strong historical ties
Israel's founding in Australia would have impacted the Indigenous Miriwoong people
The Miriwoong people, also written as Miriwung and Miriuwung, are an Aboriginal Australian group native to the Kimberley region of northern Western Australia. In 1939, Isaac Steinberg, an exiled Russian revolutionary, travelled to Australia to pursue his plan to resettle 75,000 European Jews in the Miriwoong country in eastern Kimberley. This plan, known as the Kimberley Scheme, involved an infrastructure project in the sparsely inhabited region that would be built and run by Jewish people.
If Israel had been founded in Australia, it would have had a significant impact on the Indigenous Miriwoong people. Firstly, the resettlement of 75,000 European Jews in their native land would have led to a significant change in the demographics and cultural landscape of the region. The Miriwoong people, who have their own distinct language and culture, may have faced challenges in preserving their traditions and way of life in the face of such a large influx of outsiders.
Additionally, the establishment of Israel in Miriwoong country could have led to conflicts over land ownership and resources. The Miriwoong people have a long history of connection to their land, with their traditional lands stretching over 10,000 square kilometres. They were also heavily involved in the cattle industry in the region. The arrival of a large group of settlers could have disrupted their economic activities and traditional way of life.
Furthermore, the Miriwoong people have a history of facing massacres, armed conflicts, and competition over resources with European settlers. A similar situation could have arisen if Israel had been founded in their country, leading to violence and a further decline in their population. The introduction of new infectious diseases by the settlers could have also had a devastating impact on the Miriwoong people, as was the case with the smallpox epidemic brought by European colonists.
The founding of Israel in Australia would have also had legal and political implications for the Miriwoong people. In the historical scenario, the proposal by Steinberg was ultimately rejected by the Commonwealth government, with the then prime minister, John Curtin, stating their commitment to the "long-established policy in regard to alien settlement in Australia". However, if Israel had been established in Miriwoong country, the Miriwoong people may have faced legal battles over land rights and sovereignty, similar to the struggles faced by Indigenous peoples in other colonized nations.
In conclusion, the founding of Israel in Australia, specifically in the native lands of the Miriwoong people, would have had far-reaching impacts on this Indigenous group. It would have affected their culture, traditions, economic activities, and legal standing, and may have led to conflicts and further population decline. The Miriwoong people have a rich history and a strong connection to their land, and any hypothetical scenario involving their displacement or subjugation warrants careful consideration and respect for their rights and well-being.
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The Freeland League's founder, Isaac Steinberg, proposed the Kimberley Scheme
The Freeland League for Jewish Territorial Colonization, an organization searching for a safe home for 75,000 European Jews, proposed the Kimberley Scheme. Isaac Steinberg, the founder of the Freeland League and a proponent of territorialism, was an exiled Russian revolutionary who had served in Vladimir Lenin's government. He had a vision for a Jewish homeland outside of Israel, and his associates had their eyes on land in Africa, South America, and Palestine. However, Steinberg believed that the Kimberley region in Australia was destined to be the Jewish homeland.
In late 1938 or early 1939, Steinberg travelled to Australia to pursue his plan to resettle European Jews in the Kimberley region, specifically the Miriwoong country in eastern Kimberley, Western Australia's northernmost region. He negotiated with pastoralist Michael Patrick Durack to purchase seven million hectares of land for the League. The Freeland League was a non-Zionist organization that sought to establish semi-autonomous Jewish colonies outside of Israel. Steinberg's plan was for an infrastructure project in the sparsely inhabited region that would be built and run by Jewish people. He envisioned the Jewish people as "growers and tillers of the soil, and hardworking people."
Steinberg's scheme gained significant momentum and support from the West Australian government, trade unions, church, and business representatives. By early 1940, he had gained substantial public support, but also encountered opposition. The primary concern of the opponents was that the settlers would eventually migrate to the cities in large numbers. Despite the opposition, Steinberg continued his efforts, and in 1944, a Commonwealth Commission of Inquiry was held to consider the proposal. However, the proposal was ultimately rejected by the Commonwealth government and the Australian Prime Minister, John Curtin, who stated that the government could not "entertain the proposal for a group settlement of the exclusive type contemplated by the Freeland League."
Even after Israel was established in 1948, Steinberg persisted and approached the newly re-elected Robert Menzies in 1950. Unfortunately, Menzies also rejected the idea, citing that it ran contrary to his government's policy of assimilation. Despite the rejection, the story of the Kimberley Scheme remains an intriguing chapter in the history of Jewish-Australian relations and the search for a safe haven for Jewish refugees during a time of rampant anti-Semitism in Europe.
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The Australian government rejected the Freeland League's proposal
The Freeland League for Jewish Territorial Colonization, founded by Isaac Steinberg, sought to establish a safe homeland for 75,000 European Jews facing the looming threat of genocide. Steinberg's plan, known as the Kimberley Scheme, envisioned an infrastructure project in the sparsely populated Miriwoong country in eastern Kimberley, Western Australia.
Steinberg negotiated with Michael Patrick Durack to purchase seven million hectares of land for the League. He aimed to portray Jewish people as hardworking growers and tillers of the soil, seeking to build support for the scheme. While Steinberg gained the backing of the West Australian government, trade unions, churches, and business representatives, the Commonwealth government ultimately rejected the proposal.
The Australian government's rejection of the Freeland League's proposal can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the proposal conflicted with Australia's long-established policies regarding alien settlement. The Australian government, under Prime Minister John Curtin, preferred to maintain existing policies that discouraged exclusive group settlements, as stated in a letter from Curtin in 1943.
Additionally, the proposal faced opposition from other quarters. The Durack family, who had already colonized Miriwoong country and established vast cattle stations, may have had conflicting interests with the proposed settlement. Furthermore, the timing of the proposal, during World War II, could have influenced the government's decision, as the country was focused on the war effort and managing internal affairs.
The rejection of the Freeland League's proposal by the Australian government had significant implications for the future of Jewish refugees seeking a safe haven. With Australia not being a viable option, the focus shifted to other potential locations, including Palestine, which ultimately became the site of the State of Israel in 1948. The establishment of Israel in the Middle East, instead of Australia, shaped the course of history and the dynamics of the region.
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The US recognised Israel as a nation on the day of its establishment
The establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 was the culmination of years of efforts to establish a safe homeland for the Jewish people. The Freeland League for Jewish Territorial Colonization, led by Isaac Steinberg, had initially considered northern Australia as a potential site for resettlement, specifically in the Kimberley region. However, the Australian Commonwealth Government rejected the proposal, upholding its policy regarding "alien settlement".
Instead, the focus shifted to Palestine, which was under British colonial rule. The United Nations played a pivotal role in the creation of Israel, adopting Resolution 181, also known as the Partition Resolution, in 1947. This resolution mandated the division of Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states, with the area surrounding Jerusalem remaining under international control.
On May 14, 1948, David Ben-Gurion, the head of the Jewish Agency, proclaimed the establishment of the State of Israel. The United States, under President Harry S. Truman, officially recognised the new nation on the very same day. This recognition carried significant weight, as the US became the first country to formally acknowledge Israel as a legitimate Jewish state. Truman's decision came after much deliberation and advice from White House staff, some of whom emphasised the moral imperative to create a Jewish state after the Holocaust and the potential benefits to American interests.
The recognition of Israel by the United States set a precedent and influenced subsequent developments in Israel's international standing. Australia, for instance, established diplomatic relations with Israel in 1949 and played a role in admitting Israel to the United Nations. Over the years, Australia and Israel have continued to strengthen their bilateral ties, particularly in areas such as innovation, security, defence, and cyber security.
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Australia and Israel have a close relationship, with strong historical ties
Despite this early connection, Australia and Israel did not establish formal diplomatic relations until 1949, a year after the State of Israel was established. Australia was the first country to vote in favour of the 1947 UN partition resolution, which led to the creation of Israel as a nation-state. Since then, Australia and Israel have enjoyed a warm and close relationship, supported by Australia's active Jewish community.
The bilateral relationship between the two countries has been strengthened through economic engagement and cooperation in various sectors, including innovation, security, and defence. In recent years, Australia and Israel have expanded their cooperation on national security, defence, and cybersecurity, signing several bilateral agreements to enhance their partnership.
However, the relationship between Australia and Israel has also been influenced by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While Australia has committed to a two-state solution, it has also opposed the unfair targeting of Israel in the United Nations and other multilateral institutions. In 2018, Australia recognised West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel but later reversed this decision in 2022.
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Frequently asked questions
On 14 May 1948, David Ben-Gurion, the head of the Jewish Agency, proclaimed the establishment of the State of Israel. The United States recognized the new nation on the same day.
The Kimberley Scheme was an infrastructure project proposed by Isaac Steinberg of the Freeland League for Jewish Territorial Colonization in the sparsely inhabited northern region of Australia. The goal was to provide a safe home for 75,000 European Jews. Steinberg negotiated with pastoralist Michael Patrick Durack to sell seven million hectares of land to the League. However, the scheme was ultimately rejected by the Commonwealth government.
Australia and Israel have a close relationship, with significant people-to-people links and broad commercial engagement. They have healthy trading relations, with Israel being Australia's 49th largest two-way trading partner and 56th largest export market. Australia has also expanded its cooperation with Israel in recent years in areas such as innovation, security, and defence.
Australia has expressed its commitment to a two-state solution, in which Israel and a future Palestinian state coexist peacefully within internationally recognized borders. While Australia has opposed the unfair targeting of Israel in the United Nations, it has also urged Israel to respect international law and avoid actions that undermine the prospects of a two-state solution.
