Former premier awarded Jerusalem Prize
“If people won’t speak out against antisemitism, defund them,” Daniel Andrews declared.
Former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews has urged Jewish philanthropists to stop funding antisemites.
Speaking at Central Shule in Melbourne on Sunday night after receiving the prestigious Jerusalem Prize from the World Zionist Organisation, the Zionist Federation of Australia (ZFA) and Zionism Victoria, Andrews addressed the surge in antisemitism since October 7.
“If people won’t speak out against antisemitism, defund them,” Andrews declared.
“If people are happy, in fact, to take your money while being antisemites, defund them. If you want to support Hamas, get them to pay your bills, get them to fund your programs and build your buildings.”
Andrews said if Jewish people do this, he will back them publicly and loudly.
The former premier emphasised that funding agreements should include a commitment to oppose antisemitism, stating that “part of the bargain ought to be that you don’t go missing when evil takes hold”.
He added that organisations should not promote and promulgate anti-Jewish sentiment or “fairly undergraduate-level foreign and strategic policy analysis”, much less hate and prejudice.
In accepting the award, Andrews reaffirmed his longstanding support for Israel, which he described as “a miracle” and “the only democracy in a despotic region, the only place with gender equality at law, the only place where people are free and safe to love who they love, criticise their government if they wish, and organise in their workplaces”.
“Israel is more than a start-up nation,” Andrews said. “It’s a stand-up nation, a Jewish state, but a place of great diversity that stands up against evil.”
Andrews also addressed the current conflict, noting that while peace is a legitimate aim, “its legitimacy is in tatters if you fail to acknowledge that there was in fact a ceasefire on October the sixth last year”.
He added, “If the Iron Dome was switched off for even one hour, there would be no peace and there would be no Israel.”
Andrews said as he was crossing the street near Parliament recently he saw a young pro-Palestinian woman wearing a rainbow T-shirt.
“She was obviously a supporter of the LGBTQI+ community, as I am. Try wearing that T-shirt in Gaza and see how that works out for you,” he said.
ZFA president Jeremy Leibler highlighted Andrews’ record of support for the Jewish community, including the implementation of mandatory Holocaust education, establishment of a trade office, and strengthening security measures at Jewish schools, synagogues and community centres.
Leibler particularly noted the Andrews government’s adoption of the IHRA working definition of antisemitism in 2022, describing it as critical.
Andrews addressed the current climate of antisemitism, saying, “Though antisemitism is not new, and every Jew knows that only too well … the ferocity and the brazenness of anti-Jewish and anti-Israel sentiment is like nothing that I have seen in my lifetime. It is a stain on our nation, and it shames us all.”
However, he offered words of reassurance to the community.
“The vast majority of Victorians and Australians have bigger hearts and, frankly, bigger brains. You are loved, you are respected and you are enough. The Jewish community are central to our multiculturalism and central to the values and the success of our state.”
He said the Jewish community has many friends, and he is honoured to count himself as one of them.
The Jerusalem Prize recognises individuals whose leadership and support for Israel transcend politics.
Previous Australian winners include former prime ministers Bob Hawke, John Howard, Julia Gillard and Scott Morrison, former foreign minister Alexander Downer, and former governor-general, the late Sir Zelman Cowen.
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