As we celebrate Australia Day, let’s confront rising antisemitism. Hate has no place in Australia—together, we must stand, speak out, and demand action for the safety of all Australians.
As we gather to celebrate Australia Day, reflecting on our nation's rich tapestry of cultures and shared values, it's imperative to confront a disturbing rise in antisemitic incidents that threaten the very fabric of our society.
These days, I am not proud to be Australian. I am not proud of my Prime Minister, who issues empty-worded statements of word salad while toeing the line so his government can secure votes for the next election.
I am not proud to be an Australian while Australian Jews are targeted and their synagogues and property is vandalised.
The words of Dorothy Mackeller’s famous poem ‘I love a sunburnt country’ keep ringing in my ear, but then I ask myself ‘how can I love my sunburnt country when synagogues continue to be vandalised and Jews are told to ‘Go back to Europe’.
What happened to my sunburnt country?
What happened to our values?
What happened to our leadership?
Since when is good leadership keeping quiet for votes while Australian Jews are being targeted with vicious racist attacks?
Our leaders shouldn't think twice before standing up against this ugly hatred and sending a clear message to society that this behaviour is disgusting, cowardly and unacceptable.
When did the standards for leadership plummet to a point where empty-worded statements aren’t followed up by tangible actions by our governments?
When will enough really be enough?
When someone dies from an antisemitic attack?
What is it going to take for our leaders to step up and say enough is really enough?
Recent events have cast a shadow over our communities. The Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne was firebombed in December 2024, and in Sydney recently, the Newtown and Allawah Synagogues were defaced with swastikas, and vandals attempted to set Newtown Synagogue alight.
These heinous acts are not isolated; they represent a concerning escalation in antisemitic crimes across our nation.
Such actions are fundamentally un-Australian.
They stand in stark contrast to the core values we hold dear: respect, compassion, freedom, truth, and love. Australia has long prided itself on being a multicultural society where diversity is celebrated, and every individual has the right to live free from fear and discrimination.
Our leaders have a crucial role in addressing this issue. NSW Premier Chris Minns has condemned these attacks, emphasising that such acts have no place in our society.
However, words must be accompanied by decisive action. It's imperative that our government implements stronger measures to protect minority communities and unequivocally denounces all forms of hate.
As everyday Australians, we too have a responsibility. We must speak out against antisemitism in all its forms, whether it manifests as graffiti, hate speech, or physical violence. Silence in the face of such actions can be perceived as complicity.
By standing together and voicing our opposition, we reinforce the values that define us as a nation.
On this Australia Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to these principles.
And let us remember that we have an election coming up. Research your candidates thoroughly and vote wisely.
Let us ensure that Australia remains a place where diversity is not just tolerated but celebrated, where every individual feels safe and valued. By doing so, we honour the true spirit of Australia and pave the way for a more inclusive and harmonious future for all Australians.
Let’s stand together to rid our lucky country of this vile hatred once and for all.