List of ambassadors of Australia to Israel

Ambassador of Australia to Israel
Incumbent
Paul Griffiths
since October 2020 (2020-10)
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
StyleHis Excellency
Reports toMinister for Foreign Affairs
NominatorPrime Minister of Australia
AppointerGovernor-General of Australia
Inaugural holderOsmond Charles Fuhrman
Formation28 October 1949
WebsiteAustralian Embassy, Israel

The ambassador of Australia to Israel is an officer of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the head of the Embassy of the Commonwealth of Australia to the State of Israel.[1] The ambassador is an officer of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the head of the Embassy of the Commonwealth of Australia to the State of Israel in Tel Aviv. The position has the rank and status of an ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary. The current ambassador, since October 2020, is Paul Griffiths.

Israel and Australia have enjoyed official diplomatic relations since the Australian government of Ben Chifley recognised Israel on 28 January 1949.[2] The first Australian representative was Osmond Charles Fuhrman who was appointed as the Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Australian legation in Tel Aviv in October 1949.[3] Orsmond presented his credentials to President Chaim Weizmann on 4 January 1950.[4] In October 1960 the legations of Israel in Canberra and of Australia in Tel Aviv were raised to embassy status and the Australian Minister John McMillan became the first ambassador.[5]

  1. ^ CA 1782: Australian Embassy, Israel [Tel Aviv], National Archives of Australia, retrieved 11 January 2016
  2. ^ "Australia Recognises Israel". Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate. NSW: National Library of Australia. 29 January 1949. p. 1. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  3. ^ "EGYPT AND ISRAEL". The West Australian. Perth, WA: National Library of Australia. 29 October 1949. p. 15. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  4. ^ "DIPLOMATIC POSTINGS ANNOUNCED". The Canberra Times. ACT: National Library of Australia. 3 March 1960. p. 2. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  5. ^ "Israel Legation Status Raised". The Canberra Times. ACT: National Library of Australia. 30 September 1960. p. 2. Retrieved 3 June 2015.