49. Tony Abbott

Tony Abbott was Prime Minister of Australia from 2013 to 2015. During this period he decisively changed the course of Australian policy toward support of Israel, particularly on issues related to Israel’s disputed territories. His was one of the first governments in the world to challenge the misapplication of the Geneva Conventions to the Arab-Israeli conflicts by the media and UN. Abbott’s opponents made sure he paid a steep political price for his change of direction on Israel, as well as for his public avowal of his Catholic faith. In recent years he has urged Australia to move its embassy to Jerusalem and cut aid to the Palestinians until it demonstrates that it recognizes Israel’s right to exist within secure borders by ceasing to pay pensions to terrorists and their families.