Jewish women stand up
Jessica Wilson lamented the global indifference towards Israeli women killed and taken hostage on October 7.
International Women’s Day was marked with solidarity by the Melbourne Jewish community in St Kilda’s Catani Gardens on March 7, in an event organised by WIZO (Vic), the National Council of Jewish Women (Vic), J-United, UIA Women’s Division, Emunah, Project A and InternationALL Women’s Day.
Speakers included Victoria’s Shadow Minister for Education Jessica Wilson, Labor Higgins MP Michelle Ananda-Rajah, artist Nina Sanadze, and there were special musical performances by Deborah Conway and Willy Zygier.
Incoming WIZO (Vic) co-president Penny Goodman told the crowd of around 200, “We have a responsibility as Jewish women to stand up for what we believe in and be proud of our Jewish heritage.
“We also have a responsibility to call out the antisemitism and hate which is in our community and abroad. The responsibility to call out the women’s organisations who have not come out and expressed their support, even when we found out that Shiri [Bibas] and her two children were murdered.”
Wilson lamented the global indifference towards Israeli women killed and taken hostage on October 7.
“Western women’s groups that have been vocal about the suffering of women globally have remained largely silent about the suffering of Israeli women who have been killed or kidnapped by Hamas. The most prolific feminists and women’s rights organisations have ignored or in some cases outright denied the horrific sexual violence committed by Hamas against Israeli women on October 7,” she said.
“The treatment of Jewish women by the global sisterhood is deeply disappointing and truly concerning. ‘Me too, except if you are a Jew,’ I know many of you have been saying. Well for what it’s worth I am proud to stand with the Jewish community, and with Jewish women today and with Israel always.”
Ananda-Rajah said that while standing in the shadows of October 7, she acknowledged the Jewish leaders in the community who were championing positive change and bringing light.
She said it was bitter-sweet to be addressing the community for the last time as the member of Higgins, as the seat has been abolished.
“It has been a real honour to serve this community. I have about 6500 Jewish members in my community … I will be running for the Senate in the next election … Politics is a temporary thing … but my allyship, my friendship with the Jewish community particularly Jewish women will endure forever.”
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