In paying tribute to Tim Fischer, people remember him for a host of reasons. He was the Nationals leader who went against much of his constituency to support toughened gun laws. He was one of Australia's most effective trade ministers, and its first resident ambassador to the Vatican. He was on the wrong side of history when it came to Indigenous land rights, though unlike other conservatives who opposed Mabo, preferred not to use racialised language.
What I remember Fischer for is another allegation made against him. Some labelled him an anti-Semite for his repeated defence of Palestinian and Lebanese people, and for his trenchant criticism of Israel. Former Palestinian Ambassador Ali Kazak writes:
'Tim was highly critical of Israel's occupation, violations and aggression against its Arab neighbours. The Australian newspaper reported him on 21 July 1993 saying, "It is high time the West took off its rose-tinted glasses and examined the actions of Israel in detail." And the next day it reported him saying, "It's time we got back to the facts of the situation and examined all the facts associated with the complex issue of the Middle East" ...
'During one of our meetings, he asked, in astonishment, regarding Israel's prohibition of the export of Gaza's products to Europe, "How does the export of Gaza's cut flowers threaten Israel's security?"'
For student supporters of Palestinian rights, it was a tough time. I remember in 1990 at university, a Palestinian law student set up a table promoting Palestinian culture at Orientation Week. He was harassed and harangued, labelled an anti-Semite, and his Palestinian flags ripped as symbols of terrorism. Even after Arafat and Rabin shook hands on the White House lawn in 1993, speaking about Palestine was taboo in Liberal Party circles. Just ask part-Palestinian Liberal Joe Hockey.
My own views on the Middle East have somewhat mellowed since then, due largely to my own reading and notwithstanding the harassment I and other supporters of Palestinian rights have experienced over the years. Having the then Deputy Prime Minister on our side certainly provided us with the strength to continue speaking our truths.
I first met Fischer at a Liberal Party new members night following the successful 1996 election that saw the Liberal Party defeat Paul Keating and sweep the Howard government to power. A small group of us Young Liberals gathered at NSW Parliament House to celebrate. It was a chance to enjoy free booze (or in my case, orange juice) and to hobnob with state and federal MPs.
"Fischer loved the Middle East and its people. Their relatives who had settled in Australia had a special love for him."
Around half an hour into the evening, a tall chap sporting an Akubra entered the room. Some looked perturbed at the presence of this political foreigner. What was a Nat doing at one of our functions? Others welcomed him as a fellow Coalitionist. I was a relative nobody in the political scheme of things. I was also a bit coy about mentioning my heritage. But it wasn't every day that the Deputy PM crashes a party and shakes hands with you.
It was a Monday night. The following Sunday, Muslims across Sydney would be celebrating the festival of Eid at the end of Ramadan. I knew it would be short notice for a busy Deputy PM, but I gave it a go.
'Mr Fischer, I was hoping you might consider coming along to our Eid Festival. It is at the Fairfield Showground.'
'You know, I've seen Eid in many countries but never in Sydney. I have a four-hour gap between flights at Sydney Airport and have to be at meetings. Let me see what I can do. It may only be a short visit.'
It turned out to be a very long visit. Fischer took to the podium and addressed the crowd of over 20,000 people. He then was given a chair to sit at the back and watch a cultural program that included a Lebanese troupe of dancers. Fischer approached one of the dancers, a young girl, and asked her before the microphone whether she had ever been to Lebanon. She shook her head. Fischer then took out from his pocket an old Lebanese bank note, showed it to the crowd and handed it to the girl.
Fischer loved the Middle East and its people. Their relatives who had settled in Australia had a special love for him.
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajiun. From God we come, and to God we return. May you rest in peace, Mr Fischer. May God give strength to your family and to the millions of friends and admirers you leave behind.
Irfan Yusuf is a Sydney based lawyer and blogger.
Main image: Former Australian deputy prime minister Tim Fischer kisses the hand of Pope Benedict XVI following his appointment as Australia's first resident ambassador to the Vatican in 2008. (Photo by Sergio Dionisio/Getty Images)