Robert Goot. Photo: World Jewish Congress.

Robert Goot

President of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry

Robert Goot, president of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, was among top communal leaders who came down hard on lawmakers who attempted in December to recognize a Palestinian state. A member of Australia’s Parliament had called on the Liberal government of Tony Abbott, one of Israel’s staunchest allies, to recognize a Palestinian state. Other nations, particularly in Europe, have recently passed similarly symbolic motions.  “An exercise in empty symbolism,” said Goot of the political move. In the end, no resolution was adopted. Earlier in 2014, Goot expressed his outrage at Abbott’s “softening stance” on racial discrimination laws, saying it would create complications in litigation against antisemites and Holocaust deniers.