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Australian Prime Minister Turnbull Lauds Strong Relationship with Israel
(Australian Associated Press-Guardian-UK) Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull hailed Australia and Israel's deep ties and shared values after meeting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Monday. Turnbull said their shared values were being tested by "militant Islamist terrorism" - both in the Middle East and the Philippines. "It is a threat to Israel, it is a threat to Australia, it is a threat to all who value and cherish freedom," Turnbull said. "We have a vital interest in working more closely and intensely together to keep our people safe from terrorism." Turnbull's visit is linked to the commemoration on Tuesday of the centenary of the Battle of Beersheba during World War I, when Australian horsemen helped liberate Palestine from the Ottoman empire. "It was a great victory - the last successful cavalry charge in military history," Turnbull said. Netanyahu said "the rebirth of the Jewis people...would not have been possible without the heroism and sacrifice of Australian troops who liberated this land from 400 years of Ottoman rule with tremendous courage."