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Joshua Koonin

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Dec 21, 2025, 1:00 PM

The Albanese method – Delay, Distract and Pander

The year was 2006 and in Israel, the 2nd Lebanon war raged. In Australia, especially at Sydney University, we fought antisemitism. I was sitting at Shalom College, home of the Australasian Union of Jewish Students, planning how to fight...

Dec 21, 2021, 12:10 PM

Be alarmed not alert

In the terrifying days after September 11, 2001, Australians learnt a new phrase. As key Washington ally, the Australian government feared that its citizens would be targeted. At the same time, it wanted to prevent unnecessary panic. We citizens...

Dec 2, 2021, 3:43 PM

Why the Bennett vacation story matters

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, his wife Gilat and their four children at the Knesset on June 13, 2021. (Naftali Bennett/Instagram)

The conduct of the Bennett family suggests that politics rather than a truly perceived grave threat of the Omicron variant drove the PM to curtail air travel

Jan 12, 2021, 2:58 PM

In parallel universes

“Wait for us at that junction,” I told my colleague from Ramallah, “it’s perfect – the Israeli guide will hand them over and the group isn’t left alone”. “No way – it’s the most dangerous place in the entire West...

Mar 29, 2020, 1:02 PM

A new leader of old

Israelis like to reminisce about a new gone generation of leaders. Begin, Sharon, Rabin, Golda, Peres, and Ben Gurion to name a few. Leaders who put the state above themselves. One event perhaps encapsulates this more than any other,...

Mar 13, 2017, 1:15 PM

Don’t mention the Z word

Armchair critics of Israel advocacy organisations love to make out that Israel's hasbara efforts are failing atrociously. "The Palestinians are winning the global PR war and indoctrinating a generation against the Jewish state" they cry. "Israel's PR professionals are...

Nov 25, 2016, 11:38 AM

Don’t tell the Greens, But I’ve been to Israel — A Message from Labor Party Adviser Luke Walladge

A few weeks ago, I wrote about how I had had the honor of leading several delegations of young leaders to Israel. Last week, I had the opportunity to do so again. The article below was written by one...

Sep 14, 2016, 2:56 PM

Israel’s political tourism black hole

Visitors who come to learn the real story behind news headlines are getting only one side -- and it's the wrong one

Jul 29, 2014, 10:54 AM

Political trouble ahead for Bibi?

Over the last five years, Israeli politics has been a one man show. Sure, Shelly made a somewhat loud albeit brief noise as she rallied for her ill considered, popularist and dangerous policies to drive housing prices down faster...

Apr 6, 2014, 8:40 AM

The missing A-word

For as long as I can remember, Natan Sharansky has been a hero of mine. I view Sharansky is a true champion of human rights, a Zionist giant, and a man of rare and unwavering moral clarity and conviction....

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About Me

Joshua Koonin is a political analyst and former political advisor as well as a licensed Israeli tour guide. Having grown up in Australia, he now runs two Israeli based company called Real Israel Tours and Pizazz Israel Tours. Both companies arrange political study tours in Israel. Clients include government ministers, parliamentarians, diplomats, journalists, students, lay leaders and political junkees.