One year since October 7

A fitting sombre tribute

In his opening remarks, Zionism Victoria president Yossi Goldfarb directly addressed the growth of antisemitism and Australian foreign policy towards Israel since October 7.

Photo: Peter Haskin
Photo: Peter Haskin

The anniversary of October 7 was marked in Melbourne with a huge gathering and a Walk of Light with lanterns.

Political leaders including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan joined members of the Jewish community at the Morris Moor complex in Moorabbin. Former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews, a patron of Labor Friends of Israel was also present.

Victoria Police estimate 8000 people attended the event, with most in the hall and a substantial number of people in the spillover area outside, where they watched the event on a screen. The mood was sombre and emotional, with many families with children present.

The event was organised by Zionism Victoria together with Habayit, supported by the Zionist Federation of Australia and UIA.

In his opening remarks, Zionism Victoria president Yossi Goldfarb directly addressed the growth of antisemitism and Australian foreign policy towards Israel since October 7.

“There is a permissiveness that has let antisemitism fester. A permissiveness encouraged by weak and ambiguous expositions of our foreign policy that in our community’s view have weakened our social cohesion, leaving us to feel that the state of Israel has been abandoned as a natural ally of the Australian people,” he said.

A huge crowd estimated at 8000 people attended Illuminate October, marking one year since the October 7 attacks by Hamas. Photos: Peter Haskin

Goldfarb says the Jewish community rejects this permissiveness “and its associated morally bankrupt equivalence that allows other communities to libel ours, that allows others to call for self-determination, while rejecting the same right for Jews”.

Zionism Victoria said the presence of the Prime Minister, the Premier, the Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto, Senator James Paterson representing Peter Dutton (who attended the Sydney community event), many MPs in both federal and state politics, together with the Catholic Archbishop Peter Comensoli, leaders of other faith and multicultural communities and members of the diplomatic corps added to the significance of the event.

According to media reports, the Prime Minister was the target of some jeers, with one man holding a sign which read, “Shame on you Albo. Photo opportunity only! No genuine support for Jewish community.”

No politicians spoke, with most of the evening being dedicated to a solemn artistic program presented by members of the community.

Melbourne’s Jewish schools performed songs, and there were dedications to hostages and the fallen.

Zionism Victoria says it has been heartened to receive strong and positive feedback from all segments of the community who felt the tone of the evening faithfully paid tribute to the victims of the heinous October 7 attacks.

Goldfarb said the Zionism Victoria team has been working tirelessly for a year to run a series of events to unite the community with Israel, that collectively have attracted more than 30,000 people.

“Those who claim that our community is not overwhelmingly Zionist and steadfast in our support for Israel will hopefully reconsider their position after seeing the engaged and supportive crowd on Monday night,” he said.

There was a strong presence from Victoria Police and Victoria CSG and the event went ahead peacefully.

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