He leaves a lasting Mark on the Community

It is extremely unfortunate that Mark Dreyfus will no longer be a voice in the Labor cabinet. Notwithstanding the poor optics of the only senior Jewish member of the Labor ministry being ejected due to factional reasons, the absence of the former attorney-general’s calm and measured approach is bound to be a huge loss for the government itself.

We were critical of Dreyfus when, prior to the election, he put the Greens second on his how-to-vote-card. We do not retract that criticism, just as we do not retract any of our commentary regarding the government’s performance locally on managing the problem of antisemitism, or its stances on Israel.

However, fair reporting means criticising where appropriate and also showing appreciation where due.

There is plenty the Jewish community can thank Mark Dreyfus for. His championing and passing of anti-doxxing legislation, strengthening of hate laws, and banning the display of and trade in Nazi symbols mean Australia is a safer place. Under his tenure as attorney-general, the Jewish community received $57.5 million in security funding.

Dreyfus also made it clear at the National Press Club that singling out Israel and applying a different standard to it “absolutely can be” antisemitic, and wore his yellow hostage pin earlier this year while meeting with the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah.

We can disagree, and we have disagreed – sometimes vehemently – with statements and positions by Dreyfus and the Labor Party. But slurs such as “kapo” and “Jew in name only” that some in our community have made against Dreyfus are unacceptable and are to be condemned.

We thank him for his service and wish him well as he continues to serve the people of Isaacs.

Moving across the political aisle, we congratulate new Liberal party leader Sussan Ley on her appointment.

We appreciate Ley reiterating her stance in support of our community and Israel, and look forward to the new Coalition leadership and shadow cabinet – and indeed the government – working in good faith with our community’s leaders over the next three years.

Let’s all continue to engage honesty and sincerely with both major parties as we continue to make our community’s case – with vigour, and with passion, but always with respect.