Israeli President down under

President Moshe Katsav

President in first trip to Australia
February 25, 2005
From: AAP
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,12366600-421,00.html
ISRAEL's President Moshe Katsav would make his first visit to Australia next week, Prime Minister John Howard said today.

Mr Katsav and his wife Gila will arrive in Australia on Monday and leave on Sunday, March 6.
Mr Howard said Mr Katsav's trip was the first visit by an Israeli president since president Chaim Herzog came to Australia in 1986.

"President Katsav's visit will reaffirm the warm and long-standing friendship between Australia and Israel and again illustrate the important contribution that the Jewish community makes to Australia in all spheres of our society," Mr Howard said.
"I know that Australians will welcome President Katsav with the warmth for which they are renowned."
Mr Katsav will visit Sydney on Monday and Tuesday to meet New South Wales Premier Bob Carr, business representatives and members of the city's Jewish community.
He will travel to Canberra on Wednesday for a lunch hosted by Mr Howard and a state dinner with Governor-General Michael Jeffery.

Mr Katsav will also meet Opposition Leader Kim Beazley in Canberra.
He will travel to Melbourne next Thursday for meetings with Victorian Premier Steve Bracks, members of the local Jewish community and children from Jewish schools.