Former PM critical of current leadership
“We’re now seeing an increasing number of Western leaders, including let me tell you our own here in Australia, demanding a so-called ceasefire,” says former foreign minister Alexander Downer.
Former Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper and Alexander Downer, Australia’s former foreign minister, pointed to a leadership failure across the West in response to Israel’s war against Hamas.
Harper and Downer engaged in a lively and fascinating discussion during the JCA’s sold-out event at the Sydney Opera House on Sunday, which also featured Indigenous Olympian Nova Peris.
It was no coincidence that the iconic venue was chosen to host over 2000 members of the community after the shameful anti-Israel protests that took place there barely 24 hours after the October 7 attacks.
“I have to say, given what happened here in Sydney, it’s just wonderful that we’re doing this here at the Opera House and thereby giving a giant middle finger,” Harper said, to rapturous applause.
Both Harper and Downer criticised the calls for a ceasefire coming from Israel’s so-called allies, including Canada and Australia.
“We’re now seeing an increasing number of Western leaders, including let me tell you our own here in Australia, demanding a so-called ceasefire,” Downer said.
“My sense is what they mean by a ceasefire is that the IDF should stop attacking Hamas. It might make more sense if they demanded the immediate handover of all the hostages and for Hamas to stop firing rockets and stop attacking Israelis.”
Harper agreed that the calls from leaders should be for Hamas to surrender unconditionally.
“Among the various manifestations of antisemitism is this unique situation, and I can’t think of any other place now or in history, where people call upon the side winning the war to surrender,” Harper said.
“This is a unique thing that is imposed upon Israel.
“I’m proud about my record on Israel,” Harper continued, referring to his time as prime minister.
“We supported Israel when Israel was under attack and being condemned around the world and that is the only test of real support for Israel. Those politicians who, when it’s easy on October 7 to say how they feel with Israel, and then six months later change their minds when the shoe is on the other foot, they’re not real friends and they’re also short-sighted.”
When asked why he believes those leaders appear to have backtracked on their support for Israel, Harper replied, “because they’re not real leaders”, and suggested they haven’t adequately articulated to their countries what Israel contributes to the Western world.
“The emotions and the newscasts of the moment are not the basis on which you engage in geopolitics,” Harper continued.
“You engage in geopolitics with a pretty firm idea of what the long-term interests of your country and your allies are, and that’s what they are failing to do. I think there are broader trends in our society that have been pushing in this direction for some time.”
Both Harper and Downer ended by reiterating their support for Israel and the Jewish community, while Peris spoke emotionally about her devotion to Israel and the Jewish community.
“Listening to the stories and understanding your pain, the only thing I can do is make you realise that I will always stand with you like you’ve always stood for my people,” Peris said.
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