The fallen soldiers of the Battle of Beersheba will be honored by New Zealand Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy.
By GREER FAY CASHMANUpdated: OCTOBER 27, 2017 02:46The charge of the Austrlian light horse at Beersheba 1917 George Lambert(photo credit: WIKIPEDIA)
Following his defeat in the New Zealand national elections last week, outgoing Prime Minister Bill English will not be coming to Israel to participate in ceremonies commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Beersheba.Jacinda Ardern was sworn in as prime minister on Thursday.English is being replaced by New Zealand Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy, who will be accompanied by Israel’s Ambassador to New Zealand Dr. Itzhak Gerberg.Jonathan Curr, the nonresident New Zealand ambassador to Israel, will have more than one reason for attending the event. He would have been present under any circumstances due to the fact that honor is being paid to the New Zealand and Australian soldiers who fought against the Ottoman and German armies in World War I.But he also has to be present to assist his country’s governor-general, and because he is stationed in Turkey, and there will also be memorial services for the valiant soldiers of the Ottoman Army, it would be a matter of noblesse oblige for him to pay respects to his host country of Turkey.
