Australia’s Jews are angry, not terrified

It has been a deeply distressing period for Australia’s Jewish community. In recent months we saw a potentially deadly arson attack on East Melbourne Synagogue, a violent melee at the Miznon restaurant as well as several ugly, destructive graffiti and property crimes. Jews have been under attack in ways that would have been unimaginable just two years ago.

To the wider community’s credit, these awful events have generated significant, sympathetic media coverage. They have led news bulletins and seen our political leaders at all levels of government commendably condemn these incidents in the strongest possible terms. Our politicians rightly have described these outrageous attacks as not just attacks on the Jewish community, but as attacks on all Australians and on our way of life.

As distressing as these events have been and as quickly as our political leaders have shown their solidarity with Australia’s Jewish community, there has been one consistent aspect of the media’s coverage that I have found concerning. Every time a newsreader or commentator describes the Jewish community’s mindset following these attacks, we are always referred to as being terrified.

It’s clear there is genuine fear among sections of the community. However, we need to be careful with the narrative we collectively communicate. Clearly, these events are distressing. And certainly, for those directly caught up in them, they would have been terrifying. However, I believe broadcasting our fears and insecurities to the wider community is a major mistake.

I understand where these sentiments come from. Images of synagogues being firebombed and Jewish businesses being attacked by thugs bring back traumatic memories of our darkest days in Nazi Europe. Perhaps, also, expressing our fears is intended to garner community sympathy and galvanise our political leaders into robust action.