Australian Jewish groups warn of violence after Colorado attack
The attack targeted a peaceful demonstration in Boulder calling for the release of hostages held in Gaza for more than 600 days
Australian Jewish organisations have warned that antisemitic violence could strike locally following a firebomb attack on a pro-Israel rally in Colorado that injured 12 people, including a Holocaust survivor.
The Zionist Federation of Australia (ZFA) said it was “deeply alarmed” by the weekend attack and warned that Australia was not immune to such violence.
“We cannot be complacent to think this level of violence can’t and won’t happen in Australia,” the ZFA said in a statement. “Jewish communities should never have to live in fear.”
Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council executive director Colin Rubenstein said the attack showed “the inevitable link between hate-filled rhetoric and hate-filled violence erupting in our universities, streets and media”.
“The Colorado attacker wanted to kill Zionists. Here in Australia, hate-filled rhetoric against Zionists is becoming normalised,” Rubenstein said. “But almost every Jewish Australian is a Zionist, because – left or right, religious or secular – we want Israel to continue existing.”
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