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July 25th, 2017 
Awake Goy Tony Abbott and Julia Gillard to receive honorary doctorates in Israel
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Fergus Hunter
Former prime ministers Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott, whose famous clashes were some of the most hostile in Australian political history, will both be presented with honorary doctorates by Israeli universities this week.
Mr Abbott, a staunch backer of Israel, will be honoured by Tel Aviv University on Thursday while Ms Gillard, also sympathetic to the Zionist cause, is heading to Ben-Gurion University on Tuesday for what will be her fifth honorary degree.
“The Israelis, in their wisdom, are giving me an honorary doctorate from Tel Aviv University later in the week,” the former Liberal leader told Sydney radio station 2GB, speaking from Jordan.
“And I’ll also have the chance to discuss the wider security situation and I’m also hoping to visit some Australian troops who are visiting this part of the world.”
According to Ben-Gurion University’s website, Ms Gillard will deliver a lecture titled: “Reflections on a life of purpose”.
Mr Abbott made headlines in January when he called for Australia’s $40 million in aid to the Palestinian Authority to be cut and suggested the Australian embassy in Israel be moved to Jerusalem.
The Abbott government shifted policy in favour of Israel, refusing to call East Jerusalem “occupied” and withdrawing support for a United Nations resolution urging a halt to the construction of settlements in occupied territories.
As prime minister, Ms Gillard was seen as largely supportive of Israel, leading to accusations – including by former foreign minister Bob Carr – that she was captured by the Israel lobby and their allies in the Labor caucus.
Ms Gillard was famously undermined by Mr Carr in 2012 after she overruled his advice and decided the government would oppose Palestinian observer status at the UN General Assembly. Her foreign minister then rallied support for Australia to abstain from the vote, forcing Ms Gillard into a humiliating backdown.
Mercifully for Mr Abbott and Ms Gillard – whose venomous relationship defined politics from 2010 to 2013 – the pair may not be forced to cross paths unless they find themselves on the same flight home.
The two ceremonies will be separated by the hour-long drive between Tel Aviv, which sits on the coast, and Beersheba, the location of Ben-Gurion University.
Ms Gillard already has honorary degrees from the University of Canberra, Deakin University, Victoria University and the Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Belgium. She is also an honorary professor at the University of Adelaide.
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