The Australian Jewish Association (AJA) has voiced its criticism of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's recent announcement that he has no plans to visit Israel, especially amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The Prime Minister made this statement in Perth on Friday, and he clarified that Australian security agencies were in alignment with his decision.The AJA expressed this week that a visit by the Prime Minister to Israel during these turbulent times would have resonated profoundly with the Jewish community. They likened the current conflict to "the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust" and emphasized the symbolic importance of such a visit.In addition, the AJA took the opportunity to highlight their concerns with the Australian Labor Party's financial decisions regarding the Middle East. According to them, the party has significantly increased its funding towards the Palestinian Arabs, with an additional donation of $15 million recently announced. The association reiterated its long-held stance that Australian taxpayer funds are indirectly supporting groups that indulge in propaganda and incitement against Israel.AJA is a membership-based organization for the Australian Jewish community “based on authentic Jewish and center-right values,” according to its website.

Seven residents of Ma'alot-Tarshiha, a northern Israeli town near the Lebanon border, arrived at the Galilee Medical Center (GMC) in Nahariya after their homes were damaged by a fallen IDF drone, the GMC spokesperson said on Thursday.The injured include five adults ranging from 34 to 66 years of age, and two children aged 5 and 11. All of the individuals had suffered from shock as well as minor physical injuries as a result of smoke inhalation.All seven were released from hospital care with the exception of the 66-year-old man who was transferred to the internal medicine department.