Local leaders laud ‘significant moment’
Jewish leaders and mainstream politicians in Australia have welcomed the news of the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
The death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in Rafah on Friday morning at the hands of the IDF has been welcomed by Jewish and political leaders in Australia.
Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-CEO Alex Ryvchin said, “Sinwar planned the October 7 atrocities to ignite pan-Arab pride, unify the Islamic world in armed conflict against Israel and leave it crippled, politically, economically and militarily. Today, Sinwar died alone wrapped in blankets like a rheumatic housewife”.
He said Hamas is reduced to small batches of terrorists incapable of waging war or ruling Gaza.
“Only Hezbollah materially joined the Hamas war and its leader is also dead. Israel on the other hand is not only intact but enjoys a greater advantage over its enemies than at any point in its history,” Ryvchin stated.
He noted that peace with Egypt, Jordan and the Abraham Accord states holds, as does the US alliance.
He believes the Palestinian movement in the West has been exposed as a regressive, anti-western malignancy.
“Iran is isolated except for its band of pantomime pirates in Yemen. Everything has been laid bare and peace now beckons,” Ryvchin said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described Sinwar as a terrorist and the architect of the atrocities committed on October 7.
“He was an enemy of the Israeli people and an enemy of peace-loving people everywhere. His death is a significant moment and can be a vital turning point in this devastating conflict,” Albanese said.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said the world is a safer place, “without evil terrorists like Yahya Sinwar”.
“He had equal disdain for Israelis, as evidenced by the 7th of October atrocity, as he did for his own people whom he used as human shields and kept impoverished in pursuit of his own twisted world view. Release the hostages now and mark his death as a great day for the Middle East and the world,” said Dutton.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the Australian government “doesn’t mourn for one second” over the death of Yahya Sinwar.
He repeated the government’s call for a ceasefire, saying, “We hope that this development hastens the end of this conflict. We want to see a sustainable ceasefire, we want to see the hostages released, we want to see humanitarian assistance get to where it’s needed most.”
Opposition spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Simon Birmingham responded to the news by saying, “An ugly flame of vicious terrorism has been extinguished”.
“No decent person should mourn the death of Hamas terrorist leader Yahya Sinwar.”
The shadow foreign minister hoped that his death would provide some justice to the families of those killed or taken on October 7.
“Not only was Yahya Sinwar responsible for the brutal killings of Israelis, but also the tragedy that has engulfed Palestinians as Hamas leaders and operatives like him have hidden among and beneath innocent civilians.
“May the elimination of another Iranian sponsored terrorist leader take the Middle East one step closer to ultimate peace,” Birmingham said.
He called on Hamas to use this moment to release all hostages, surrender remaining terrorist capabilities and secure a ceasefire.
Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council executive director Dr Colin Rubenstein described Sinwar’s death as a key milestone in the ongoing war to remove Hamas from Gaza.
“He was the ruthless architect of the savage October 7 massacre and the main obstacle preventing a ceasefire agreement,” he said.
“His death will be welcomed by all those who despise the terrorism and death cult he embodied and who desire genuine progress towards the speedy release of the hostages and a negotiated Israeli-Palestinian peace.”
Macnamara MP Josh Burns, who is Jewish, said now is the time for the hostages to be released and for the suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza to end.
“Yahya Sinwar was an obstacle to both of these things. Today, I hope we are at a moment where it is possible to secure a peaceful future for Israelis and Palestinians – two states for two people to live in dignity, security and freedom,” he said.
Allegra Spender MP said she hopes Sinwar’s death, “hastens the downfall of Hamas and renewed hope for a negotiated solution to end the war in Gaza and for the return of the remaining hostages”.
“The death of Yahya Sinwar, the architect of October 7, is a huge milestone in this tragic war,” she said.
“His death must serve as a catalyst to bring home the remaining hostages, achieve a lasting ceasefire, and end the suffering of civilians in this terrible conflict.”
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