Empathy, support – but no l’chaim
"The rise of antisemitism … but also the hurt that still runs so deep after what happened in Israel 235 days ago." says Jacinta Allan.
Addressing the annual Yom Ha’atzmaut state parliamentary reception, Premier Jacinta Allan said she recognises “the hurt that this community is feeling”, while Liberal leader John Pesutto said leaders in government “have to stand up, not just speak up”.
Held during what Zionism Victoria president Yossi Goldfarb called “a war of self-defence that has led to an escalating antisemitism crisis”, the event raised eyebrows when the traditional toast to Israel disappeared from the agenda.
In her address to a gathering of MPs and communal guests, including former premier Daniel Andrews, Allan empathised on “the rise of antisemitism … but also the hurt that still runs so deep after what happened in Israel 235 days ago. Jews worldwide will mourn October 7 for the rest of their lives.”
Recounting her meeting with women on the impact of the war and antisemitism at Central Shule in April, Allan also spoke about mandatory Holocaust education in Victorian schools and the government’s planned anti-vilification laws.
But promising tougher measures, Pesutto said, “Words start to lose their weight and force without action … we have to stand up, not just speak up.”
To rousing applause, he said as premier he would direct police “to prioritise the prosecution of vilification offences” and “introduce move-on laws to make sure that Jewish students could attend university”. He would order the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission “to enforce the law”.
Next day, Pesutto and Shadow Attorney-General Michael O’Brien committed to reintroducing “the full range of move-on powers” to police and protective service officers abolished by Labor in 2015.
Launching the Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV)’s #actionnotwords campaign, which calls for stronger measures against antisemitism, president Philip Zajac used his address to urge Allan to accelerate recommendations on anti-vilification laws, security funding to Jewish schools and a strategic plan for the anti-racism taskforce.
Detailing the government’s shortcomings in these areas, Zajac said, “The time for listening is over. The time for action is here.”
A source seated near Allan on the night told The AJN the Premier appeared “visibly uncomfortable” during Zajac’s emphatic speech.
It was later revealed that Allan privately declined to lead the annual toast to Israel. Contacted by The AJN afterwards, a spokesperson for the Premier’s office said Allan felt leading a toast would have been “an odd change of tone” following her speech on antisemitism.
Goldfarb and Zionist Federation of Australia president Jeremy Leibler have since refuted mainstream media claims about the scrapped toast. “Contrary to certain reports, we are not fuming about any matter arising out of this event.
“As Victorians, our community is fortunate to enjoy strong and bipartisan partnerships with our Premier and Opposition Leader.”
Leibler said separately, “The government and opposition understand the central role that Israel plays in our Jewish identity. The presence of the Premier and Opposition Leader, with dozens of MPs, is testament to the broad and welcome environment that the Jewish community – and Israel – has in Australia.”
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