http://www.thepunch.com.au/author-bios/arsen-ostrovsky/ Arsen Ostrovsky’s an international human rights lawyer currently serving as a Policy Analyst at the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council. en Copyright 2012 The Punch penberthyd@newsltd.com.au penberthyd@newsltd.com.au Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:49 +0000 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:49 +0000 Politics, opinion, world news, sports news, latest news, views, Barack Obama, Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard, Nathan Rees, Malcolm Turnbull, Peter Garrett, Barnaby Joyce, Australian, federal politics, opinion polls, election, The Punch, thepunch, punch ExpressionEngine 1.6.7 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 15 http://www.thepunch.com.au/images/punch-logo-rss.png http://www.thepunch.com.au/ 144 70 Politics, political opinion, world news, sports news and the latest news and views updated live, daily on The Punch - Australia's best conversation. Search The Punch keywords http://www.thepunch.com.au/search/ http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/israel-celebrating-63-years-of-indendence/ On 10 May, that little sliver of land, Israel, about one third the size of Tasmania but burdened with decades of unremitting attacks on its very legitimacy and existence, celebrates her 63rd year of independence. There are good reasons why many Australians should celebrate that. We could talk about the historical bond between our two nations dating back to the ANZACS. A bond that is underpinned by our shared commitment to freedom and democracy, and respect for women’s rights, gays, minorities and the rule of law. We could celebrate that we are both thriving multicultural states that have successfully absorbed and integrated millions of refugees and immigrants from around the world. And it wouldn’t hurt to reflect on the irony that Israel’s Arab citizens enjoy more rights, freedoms and liberties than do their neighbours in any number of Middle East nations - where they are currently dying while fighting for these very same rights and privileges. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Arsen Ostrovsky) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/israel-celebrating-63-years-of-indendence/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/israel-celebrating-63-years-of-indendence/#item5794 Sun, 08 May 2011 19:40:29 +0000 Arsen Ostrovsky | Author bios | The Punch http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/syria-and-the-un-human-rights-council-an-unholy-alliance/ Any relief we may have had when Libya was finally suspended from the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in March has certainly been short-lived. It appears Syria, another terror state, is set to take its place. Syria is one of four candidates vying for four seats on the 47-member body that will go to Asian nations when the General Assembly votes on new members on 20 May. Unless another Asian country nominates, which seems unlikely at this stage, Syria will win a three-year term on the UN body charged with strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the world. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Arsen Ostrovsky) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/syria-and-the-un-human-rights-council-an-unholy-alliance/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/syria-and-the-un-human-rights-council-an-unholy-alliance/#item5608 Wed, 13 Apr 2011 19:35:03 +0000 Arsen Ostrovsky | Author bios | The Punch