A relative of the Israeli prime minister has been appointed a secretary to the Cabinet of the new Australian government.
Col. Mike Kelly, who is married to Ehud Olmert’s cousin, last week was appointed parliamentary secretary for defense by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.
Rudd was elected Nov. 24, ousting John Howard after 11 years of conservative rule.
Kelly served in Iraq but supported Labor’s policy to withdraw Australia’s small contingent of troops from the war-torn country. He lives in Canberra, where his family is active in the capital’s small Jewish community.
Olmert called Rudd last week to congratulate him, and the new Australian leader pledged to visit Israel during his term as prime minister. Olmert, who called Rudd at home, inquired about Kelly, according to The Age newspaper.
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