As you are aware, there has been public debate about the Australian Greens Party and their position regarding Israel. Late in 2010, the Greens NSW State Council endorsed and supported the BDS (Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions) movement.
As a direct outcome of this motion (as we see it) the Greens - dominated Marrickville Council has backed the BDS in their local council.
In the recent NSW State election, the Greens Party did not win as many seats as they would have expected in the Upper or Lower house, and some political commentators believe their stance regarding Israel had a  lot to do with this.
Please click on the links below to read the full article;
• Business slaps down boycott talk
• Bob Brown told to rein in anti-Israel senator Lee Rhiannon
• Party's Israel stance 'hypocritical'

Israel is investing billions to become a world leader in renewable energy technologies and oil alternatives.
“The global interest in Israel’s energy R&D and technology is out of all proportion to the size of the country,” says Dr. Eli Opper, former Chief Scientist and now chairman of the Eureka High Level Group (HLG). According to Dr. Opper, Israel’s technological achievements were an important consideration in the award of the chairmanship.
A conference is being organized in the field of Cleantech by the European Friends of Israel in Jerusalem. The conference is being attended by about 500 of the European Parliament’s 736 members. Over the course of the conference, the European parliamentarians will visit Israel’s leading industrial plants. This is no small thing, given that they represent a market of 375 million consumers, who could help promote Israeli technology. Read more here

‘Pilgrimage of Thanks’ brings the formerly trapped men to religious sites of Israel as well as tourist spots and a meeting with the president.
After two months trapped underground in a collapsed mine as the world looked on in horror, 25 of the 33 rescued Chilean miners accepted the gift of a trip to Israel.
The Israeli Ministry of Tourism paid for the miners, along with their spouses or girlfriends, to come for a tour of the religious sites and famous sightseeing spots in the Holy Land.
In welcoming them to his residence, President Shimon Peres recited the traditional prayer of thanksgiving after a situation of great danger – particularly appropriate for a journey that had become known as a Pilgrimage of Thanksgiving.