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Arsen Ostrovsky has built his career defending Israel in what he calls the world’s “most hostile arenas”. This week at the annual policy conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) in Washington DC, that defence became deeply personal.

“Like many of you, I’ve dedicated my life to fighting for the Jewish state,” Ostrovsky told the audience.

“As an attorney focused on international law and human rights, I stood up and defended Israel in some of the world’s most hostile arenas: the United Nations, The Hague, the European Parliament.”

Arsen Ostrovsky speaks at the AIJAC conference in Washington DC (YouTube).

Ostrovsky, head of the Sydney office of the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council, said he has also “fought back in the New York Times, the BBC, and across every digital battlefield where Israel is demonised”.

He reminded delegates of AIPAC’s role in Israel’s security during his 13 years living there.

“Living in Israel for the past 13 years, I experienced firsthand your impact on Israel’s security, strength and safety,” he said. “Every time my family ran to our safe room and I heard the booms of the Iron Dome overhead, I knew that was the sound of your commitment.”

“Each time that Iran launched ballistic missiles at us, it was your work that helped protect us and minimise what could have been total devastation.”

He argued that efforts to weaken AIPAC are part of a broader effort to weaken Israel. “That is precisely why those who want to weaken Israel want to weaken you,” he said.