Published: 12 February 2019
Last updated: 4 March 2024
“Steven shared uplifting stories of how NIF has changed the lives of minority groups whose rights have been marginalised, abused or ignored,” they added. “His compassion for these people was palpable; his efforts to allay the difficulties they endure substantial,” said the organisation’s president, Ilana Snyder, and executive director, Liam Getreu, in a joint statement last week.
Glass, a senior lawyer at Gilbert + Tobin, played a critical role in NIF’s achievement of tax deductibility which has greatly enhanced its capacity to support social change in Israel.
One of his particular interests was the treatment of refugees and people seeking asylum, both in Israel and Australia. He was not afraid to be outspoken in defence of the powerless. Twelve months ago, as Israel prepared to deport tens of thousands of asylum seekers back to danger in Africa, Glass wrote a moving op-ed calling the Israeli government policy “an affront to our history and values.”
He was instrumental in NIF raising tens of thousands of dollars for this cause in just a few weeks.
But his raison d’etre was defending democracy in Israel and beyond, and this guiding principle informed and shaped NIF policies and actions.
[gallery columns="1" size="large" ids="25916"]
In a powerful opinion piece published last May to coincide with the Australian visit of Breaking the Silence, Glass wrote: “It is precisely to protect each and every one of us from … inexcusable government excess that we must be vigilant in allowing the media and NGOs to do the vital work of investigating and reporting on government action, even when we disagree with what they are saying, and even when it makes us feel uncomfortable.
“This is why the work of Israel’s human rights organisations, like B’Tselem, Yesh Din, and Breaking the Silence, is essential to Israel’s future as a democracy governed by the rule of law.
“Holding governments to account through the work of such organisations is difficult, often controversial, and sometimes even embarrassing. Reading their reports is invariably an unpleasant and uncomfortable experience. But ensuring they are free to do their work with all vigilance they can muster is the only defence against future {government excess}.”
“Claims that these organisations are unpatriotic or even treasonous are bunkum. They do not do their work to attack or delegitimise the State of Israel, they do it to protect and enhance it.”
“Steven always acted with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness and respect for the dignity of individuals and communities. He will be greatly missed,” wrote Snyder and Getreu.
Steven Glass leaves behind his wife Michelle and two children, Samantha and Jason. Their premature loss of a partner and father is unimaginable.
Photo: Vanessa Shambrook
