If We Had Our Time Again

Several years ago, Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning resonated deeply with me. One quote stood out: “Live as if you were living for the second time and as though you had acted wrongly the first time.” This profound statement invites us to approach life with the wisdom and reflection of hindsight, recognising past mistakes—or potential ones—and consciously choosing differently.

In these times of unprecedented antisemitic violence across Australia, fuelled by elements within the media, academia, and even fringe and major political parties, such reflection is urgent. Events over the past 15 months compel us to examine whether our actions—or inactions—have contributed to the current crisis and what accountability truly looks like.

Reflection Through the ADF Lens

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) employs the After-Action Review (AAR) as a cornerstone of continuous improvement. This process revisits events to identify what to “fix,” “improve,” and “sustain,” with the aim of ensuring we are better tomorrow than we were yesterday and are today. It’s about learning from the mistakes of the past to guide decisions going forward.
A review’s value may be heightened further by considering “the path not taken.” By contrasting actual outcomes with hypothetical alternatives, we uncover valuable insights to guide future decisions. It is prudent to apply this reflective lens to events beginning on October 9, 2023, at the Sydney Opera House, and extending to today, January 2025.

Recapitulation of Events

Hamas Attack on Israel (October 7, 2023): Hamas launched a terrorist attack on Israel, killing more Jews in a single day than at any time since the Holocaust.

Sydney Opera House Illumination (October 9, 2023): The Opera House was illuminated in blue and white to show solidarity with Israel. Initially, this decision inspired hope. Families planned to gather in solidarity, but NSW Police soon warned the Jewish community to “stay away” due to safety concerns. This effectively ceded public space to those who wished to intimidate and vilify.

Pro-Palestinian Protest (October 9, 2023): Approximately 1,000 protesters marched from Town Hall to the Opera House, igniting flares and chanting slogans like “Allahu Akbar” and “Free Palestine.” Some members of the Jewish community remain adamant they heard the chant, “Gas the Jews.”

Antisemitic Chants: Forensic analysis later identified chants of “Where’s the Jews” and offensive language like “f** the Jews.” For the Jewish community, this conclusion compounded their sense of betrayal.

Adass Israel Synagogue Arson Attack (December 6, 2024): A Melbourne synagogue was firebombed, causing significant damage and traumatising the Jewish community.

Rising Antisemitic Incidents: Reports of antisemitic incidents surged 316% between October 2023 and September 2024.

Physical Assaults and Vandalism: Jewish cemeteries were desecrated, cars firebombed, and individuals wearing symbols of their faith attacked.

Online Hate Speech: A marked increase in antisemitic hate speech created a pervasive atmosphere of hostility.

Lived Experience

A non-Jewish friend in his seventies shared with me the profound distress of his Jewish neighbour in Woollahra. Seeking to offer support, he visited the octogenarian, only to find her too terrified to leave her upstairs room. “It happened just down the road,” she said, her voice heavy with disbelief. “In a country and city, we thought was safe.”

Moved by her fear, my friend made a solemn vow: “If they come for you, it will be through me.”

That conversation took place in October 2023. Today, I can only imagine how much worse her fears must be, compounded by the subsequent horror of two fire-bombings in Woollahra and the gutting of a Melbourne synagogue by arsonists.

How has it come to this in Australia in 2024?

The Path Not Taken: A Case for Decisive Leadership

Accountability should be about meaningful outcomes, not hollow gestures.

Decisive leadership in times of crisis can restore trust and reassure communities. Consider this alternative timeline:

10:00 PM, October 9, 2023: The Premier’s Chief of Staff summons the Police Minister for an 8:00 AM meeting.
7:00 AM, October 10, 2023: The Prime Minister and Opposition Leader jointly condemn the protest, standing on the Opera House steps to declare, “This must never happen again.” (This idea, attributed to John Howard, reflects what he said he would have done with Kim Beazley in a similar situation.)
9:00 AM, October 10, 2023: The Premier announces the Police Minister’s resignation and appoints an interim replacement.
4:30 PM, October 10, 2023: An independent inquiry into police conduct is launched, led by a retired Federal Court Judge and a former Police Commissioner, with a 14-day reporting deadline.
5:00 PM, October 10, 2023: The Premier announces the Police Commissioner’s resignation and appoints an interim replacement.

Decisive actions like these would have demonstrated resolve, boosted morale within the police force, and sent an unequivocal message: law and order must prevail.

Such actions would not be without precedent. In 2014, Barry O’Farrell resigned as NSW Premier after inadvertently misleading the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) over an undeclared gift—a bottle of wine. His resignation was not due to malfeasance but to uphold the principles of accountability and integrity. If accountability mattered then, why does it not matter now, in the face of such profound failings?

Not a Criticism of Premier Minns

This is not a critique of Premier Chris Minns. On the contrary, Premier Minns has been a standout on both the state and national stage for his unflinching support of Australian values and his condemnation of bigotry and acts of domestic terrorism against Australia’s Jewish minority. His leadership in these trying times has been commendable, setting a high standard for integrity and courage.

Prominent Jewish leaders have recognized and commended his principled stance. Rabbi Dr. Benjamin Elton, Chief Minister of The Great Synagogue in Sydney, has expressed appreciation for the Premier’s commitment to protecting the Jewish community. Rabbi Levi Wolff, Senior Rabbi at Central Synagogue in Sydney, and Rabbi Mendel Kastel OAM, Chief Executive Officer of Jewish House, have similarly lauded Premier Minns for his proactive measures in ensuring the safety and well-being of Jewish Australians. David Ossip, President of the New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies, has also been vocal in acknowledging the Premier’s efforts to combat antisemitism.

However, this is most certainly a damning criticism of the Australian Labor Party and the broader left movement in Australia. The troubling alliance between leftist academics, unions, and some politicians has facilitated an environment where antisemitism can flourish unchecked. For example, certain NSW-based unions publicly endorsed pro-Palestinian rallies, even as these events became platforms for antisemitic rhetoric and violence. Left-leaning academics have published or endorsed statements justifying the actions of Hamas under the guise of “resistance.” Meanwhile, some Labor politicians have hesitated to unequivocally condemn antisemitism, choosing instead to issue vague statements that fail to address the gravity of the issue. This silence and tacit endorsement amplify the challenges Premier Minns faces as a leader standing on principle in an otherwise indifferent or complicit environment.

But how much must be left on this one man’s shoulders? Leadership at the top can only do so much without the collective support of institutions, including the media. Where were they in holding up the mirror to society during these dark times? Consider, for instance, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), which has previously been critical of racism in other contexts. For example, the ABC has not hesitated to produce in-depth analyses, roundtable discussions, and investigative reports when discussing systemic racism affecting Indigenous Australians. Yet, in this crisis, their silence on the rise of antisemitism in Australia was deafening. Why, when antisemitic chants echoed at the Opera House and violence erupted across the country, did the media fail to address the issue with the same vigour?

The Boiled Frog Syndrome

Australia risks becoming the proverbial frog in boiling water, failing to recognise the danger until it’s too late. The escalation of antisemitic violence is a dire warning. Jewish Australians are asking: Where is the accountability? This question weighs heavily, not just on the Jewish community, but on all who value justice and safety.

This is not just a Jewish problem; it is a national one. Failing to act decisively now endangers the very fabric of Australia’s values and democratic principles.

Conclusion

As Viktor Frankl’s words remind us, hindsight provides the wisdom to choose differently. Reflecting on the events of the past 15 months, it is evident that decisive action is not only warranted—it is imperative. Accountability at the highest levels must be pursued, and leadership grounded in resolve and a commitment to justice must guide Australia forward.

Colonel Michael Scott CSC is the CEO and Founder of the 2023 Foundation, a charity focused on combatting antisemitism and fostering peaceful coexistence. The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not reflect the positions of the Australian Defence Force or the Commonwealth Government of Australia.

Opinion

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