Jews, Hindus and Iranians unite at anti-terror rally

About 800 people from Melbourne’s Jewish, Hindu, Iranian and Christian communities gathered on Sunday afternoon for a peaceful rally and vigil to honour victims of terrorism worldwide.

The event, organised by the Minority Impact Coalition, commemorated victims of the October 7 Hamas massacre, Israeli civilians targeted by Islamic Regime missile strikes, Hindus murdered in the Pahalgam terrorist attack in India, and Iranian civilians persecuted and executed by the Islamic Regime.

Similar events were also held in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth.

The rally at the Victorian State Parliament came in the wake of recent antisemitic incidents in Melbourne, including attacks on a restaurant and synagogue, which organisers said contributed to higher than expected attendance.

“I think people felt the need to come out today, after what’s happened this week,” said Simmone Whine from J-United, one of the Melbourne event organisers.

“It was amazing to have our Hindu and our Iranian friends who we’ve built connections with for the last eight months to have them standing with us side by side, same message, we’re all united against terror.”

Whine said the Jewish community had built relationships with other communities through initiatives including the Put the Greens Last campaign.

“When we as Jews build relationships with other people we can unite and things will be better for us in this country,” she said.

Saurabh, secretary of the Australian Hindu Community, who spoke at the event, cited historical bonds between the communities as motivation for his participation.

“Both the Hindu community and the Jewish community are the victims of terrorism. We have suffered a lot because of terrorism. Our people have been displaced multiple times because of the terrorism issues, and we share the same grief,” he said.

“Hindus and the Jewish community have a very strong bond. Jews arrived in India 2000 years back, and we have never been at confrontation. And for last 2000 years, we lived very peacefully. Hence it’s my moral duty to stand with the Jewish community.”

Saurabh drew parallels between recent attacks on Jewish communities and the situation facing Hindus in Kashmir.

“If you look at the way Jews have been facing multiple attacks, the most recent one in 2023 when Israelis were targeted and hundreds of them were killed in a day. The same thing has been happening to us in Kashmir, the only Hindu minority state in India. That is where the Hindus have been exterminated.”

Victorian Opposition Liberal Party Leader Brad Battin attended the rally alongside Caulfield MP David Southwick.

“I think it’s an important message to send out to not just the Jewish community, but the Iranian communities, the Hindu communities, that we all stand together against terrorism, whether it’s here in Victoria with the hate on the street or overseas,” Battin said.

He noted the particular significance of the timing following recent local incidents.

“Considering what’s happened with the restaurant, as well as the synagogue being attacked, these are events that we never thought would be possible here in Australia, but we’re seeing it more and more.”

Battin said the communities now had “genuine fear going out in the city, but worse, fear of going to a place of worship, and that should never be accepted in any nation.”

The Opposition Leader emphasised the broader significance of the unity displayed.

“When you get three groups like that united, you’re actually starting to see that this is actually not just a one off cause. This is a cause to say we’ve got to stop this worldwide.”