New Israel Fund Australia congratulates former board chair, Emeritus Professor Ilana Snyder AM, on becoming a Member of the Order of Australia - New Israel Fund Australia

NIF Australia congratulates former board chair, Emeritus Professor Ilana Snyder AM, on becoming a Member of the Order of Australia

27/01/2025 – Sydney

NIF Executive Director: “A well deserved honour for a tireless advocate for peace, justice and equality.” 

Responding to the news former board chair and ongoing director, Ilana Snyder AM had received an Australia Day honour and become a Member of the Order of Australia for ‘significant service to the Jewish community of Australia, and to tertiary education’, New Israel Fund Australia (NIF) released the following statement:

After seven years chairing the NIF Australia board and another three years as a director working to fight for peace, justice and equality for all in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt), NIF celebrates the news that Ilana Snyder AM received a well-earned honour yesterday. 

As Ilana said: “This award recognises my voluntary work for the New Israel Fund (NIF) Australia. I feel honoured to have been nominated. Together with my colleagues at NIF and our supporters within the Jewish community, our goal is to promote equality and justice for everyone in Israel, regardless of religion, race or sex…”

“There are many non-profits on the ground in Israel whose work we support, but after the horrors of October 7 and more than a year of a devastating war in Gaza, the organisations that stand out for me are those striving to build understanding between Jewish Israelis and Palestinian Israelis. I believe that social and political change begins at the grassroots level. I love being part of a community of people with shared values, a community that provides a home for nuanced conversations about Israel. Even in these dark times, we retain our hope that Israeli society will become more inclusive and tolerant, living in peace with its neighbours.” 

Ric Benjamin, NIF Australia Chair, said “We welcome the news that Ilana’s tireless efforts for peace in Israel and the oPt has been recognised. Alongside her, we will continue Ilana’s work, fighting for justice for all in the region so the current ceasefire may become permanent, all hostages can return home and, together, people on the ground can begin to live in peace, equality and freedom”. 

Media contact:
Michael Chaitow (NIF), 0432 629 342

About Us

New Israel Fund Australia

NIF Australia was formed in 2011 when Naomi Chazan, then-president of NIF Israel and the former deputy speaker of the Knesset, visited Australia. In the more than ten years since its formation, NIF Australia has raised over $5 million, distributing grants to important civil society organisations in Israel, and facilitating new conversations about Israel inside the Australian Jewish community. Our community promotes freedom, equality and social justice by funding Israeli nonprofits and fostering new discussions in the Australian Jewish community.