Published: 4 March 2025
Last updated: 9 May 2025
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a $4 million grant from the Australian government to the Palestinian-Israeli health diplomacy organisation Rozana, a landmark investment in peacebuilding by an Australian government.
Founded by Australian Ron Finkel, Rozana works to address health gaps in the region and foster relationships between Israelis and Palestinians through healthcare.
The grant is the first major investment Rozana has received from the Australian government. Investment in grassroots peacebuilding initiatives is seen to be one of the few ways in which middle powers such as Australia could contribute to resolving the conflict.
Chair of Rozana Australia Lee Ann Basser told The Jewish Independent that securing the funding was an “extraordinary milestone” for the organisation and a “statement of confidence in health diplomacy as a tool for building peace”.
“The announcement by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is a powerful statement that healthcare can be a unifying force in conflict-affected regions,” Basser said.
“Healthcare transcends politics – it is a human right, and by bringing Israeli and Palestinian health professionals together, we are fostering collaboration that not only saves lives today but also lays the groundwork for a more peaceful future.”
The funding was announced at a private event at The Lodge to an audience of Jewish, Muslim and Christian representatives bussed down from Sydney for the occasion. In a clear recognition of the sensitivity of any issue related to the Israel-Palestine conflict, attendees were instructed not to share details of the event publicly.
Comments3
Jacqui Parker6 March at 03:14 am
A remarkable initiative that highlights humanity at its best. When peace eventually takes hold, initiatives like this will become commonplace. Both sides of hardliners share a mutual disdain for this beautiful interracial effort – at least they agree on something, maybe a starting point.
Phil levy4 March at 11:02 am
Australian taxpayer funds would be better spent educating staff at bankstown hospital that Israeli/Jewish
Australian deserve equal treatment to all others.
Rachel Sussman4 March at 08:23 am
It is very admirable of Mr Albanese to make such a contribution to an indeed worthy cause, but it is hardly surprising since Rozana focuses on Palestinian’s healthcare. Of course there is absolutely nothing at all wrong with it, it is indeed a good cause, but it should not be presented as ‘promoting peace’ or as ‘benefiting Israelis and Palestinians’, because truth is that Israeli doctors and nurses already provide services to Palestinians both in the West Bank and in Gaza as in Israel; truth is that israeli hospitals are filled with Israeli nurses and doctors from the Muslim, Christian and Jewish community; and patients in Israeli hospitals are from the Muslims, Christians and Jewish communities.
I apologize for my cynicism, and whilst I admire the essentially good cause of promoting good healthcare for the Palestinians, I would rather not pretend that the Australian Government is doing this to promote peace or to benefit both Israelis and Palestinians, it is doing so because it essentially provides a service to the Palestinians, and again it is a wonderful cause, but let us call a spade a spade and not pretend anything else.