Antisemitism is a Social Cohesion and National Security Issue and is UnAustralian
- ifi374
- Apr 9
- 3 min read
We have people in our nation who hate our values, who hate our nation, who hate our way of life, so we are in trouble. Rising and rampart antisemitism is one outcome of this, whether it comes from the left or the right. Because our values are based on Judeo-Christian ethics and democracy, our tolerance has emboldened the intolerant and our parliamentarians’ and law enforcement’s lack of will have let us down. This antisemitism is threatening our social cohesion and is tearing the fabric of our society apart. We don’t want our children to grow up hating one another or hating one section of our society or even hating our nation. This is unAustralian.
Since Oct 7 with the worst massacre of Jews and others in Israel since the Holocaust or Shoah, along with the rape, torture, burning of babies and the war crime of kidnapping and torturing hostages, many still in captivity by Hamas and other terror groups, there has been a surge in antisemitism worldwide. We saw it in Australia with the incident at the Sydney Opera House where it was to be lit up as a memorial to the Jews who had been killed and the Jews were told to stay home for their own safety while police escorted pro-Palestinian protestors who called out “Gas the Jews,” and “Kill the Jews,” etc. This was before Israel even responded in self-defence. No one was held to account by law enforcement authorities or by politicians.
Since then, antisemitism has festered with the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne firebombed, graffiti on and demonstrations outside synagogues, firebombing of cars and businesses, graffiti on Jewish homes, schools and a childcare centre etc. A caravan of explosives with a list of Jewish targets has also been discovered. There is fear of a mass casualty event where Jews and other Australians are killed. This is a crime issue and a safety issue that affects us all. The government and police have lost control of our streets and are trying to play catch up.
I am concerned that Jewish people who have helped build our nation and are good citizens are living in fear and their children are hiding their identity for self-protection.
But this is not just a matter of protecting one group of Australians from racism and discrimination though this is crucial. It is also a matter of protecting our nation from falling apart and from self-destruction. It is dealing with a threat to who we are as a nation and to who we are as a people. It is fundamental. This is a threat to our civilization.
I stand for:
Antisemitism education units need to be available, even compulsory, in primary and secondary schools and universities. The Indigenous Friends of Israel International which I cofounded is developing these.
Australia needs to reverse its anti-Israel stand at the United Nations, return to its long-term bipartisan support of its ally Israel, and defund UNRWA because we don’t want to fund terrorism via UNRWA.
I support the 15-point plan presented by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry at the Antisemitism Summit in Sydney on 20.2.25.[i] Some of these are:
The federal government should declare the existence of a National Emergency and establish a Joint Counter-Terrorism Taskforce led by a single minister to coordinate and mobilise all relevant agencies in the fight against antisemitic terror before we have a major terror attack in this country.
A judicial inquiry into antisemitism at Australian universities, which should include the investigation of foreign funding of student protests.
Religious and other charitable institutions should have their charity status, and all funding revoked if they promote racism – including antisemitism – or display terrorist symbols.
The Migration Act should be enforced or, if necessary, amended so that antisemitic conduct is grounds to refuse a new visa or cancel an existing visa.
·Government grants to festivals and individuals should come with a condition that the recipient does not spread racism and that grants can be revoked.
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