Isi Leibler in Melbourne

From an interview of Isi Leibler by Peter Kohn, Australian Jewish News, published October 18, 2007:

...What are some of the developments in the Australian Jewish community that have struck you on this latest visit?
I see a government and Opposition consensus on providing security for kids at school as perhaps the beginning of a general process of recognizing that the government should be taking some role in supporting people who go to Jewish day schools, which should not have to carry the whole burden themselves. The reason for Australian Jewry's success is it s day-school movement, and if that becomes squeezed, with more and more sacrifices being demanded of middle-income people to give two or three kids a Jewish day school education, the only way this can be made up in the long term is if the state becomes more involved in at least backing up the secular studies.

You've come at a significant time, with an election date being announced. How do you think the two sides shape up in terms of their policies on the Middle East?
You're asking a very difficult and sensitive question. All I can say is that John Howard has probably been the most outstanding friend that Israel has ever had as a statesman… Hitherto there has never been anyone on the political map as a leader who has been as good to us, in a principled manner, as Howard. Having said that, I must say that I regard the alternative, Kevin Rudd, as a Christian Zionist and as a genuine friend of Israel. Whether he can maintain the same standard of support Israel has received from the Howard-Downer Government remains to be seen … I had the opportunity to meet again with Kevin Rudd, at a function set up by the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council, and renewed relations with him, as I'd met him already in Israel. We had a lengthy dinner together then and I was most impressed … But if you're asking me how people should vote, I certainly wouldn't dare suggest how they should vote....

....Looking at the Middle East, what should be done about the looming threat of nuclear proliferation in Iran?
There are two things. To alert and encourage the world not to repeat the appeasement that paved the way for Nazism. But equally as important, Israel must demonstrate – and I believe they've started doing that (Israel's reported raid on a partly completed Syrian nuclear reactor) - that there is a deterrent, and if anyone starts messing around with Israel in a big way … if anyone thinks Israel is going to go like a lamb to the slaughter, they should be disillusioned. Even if there are a few lunatics in Iran, very few will want to take on a power that will give it back double-fold and strongly.

With regard to Israel and the Palestinians, can talks with Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas and the PA have any effect?
You need to have a peace partner to make peace. Abbas is impotent, corrupt and has no base. Whereas the Americans may want to show theoretical progress, the reality is that we don't have someone we can make peace with.

How should Israel approach Hamas, now that the organization controls Gaza?
Israel should begin to behave like a normal country. The majority of Israelis feel that if a regime is hurling rockets at you, you don't continue to provide them with electricity and other facilities.