Minns pledges support
"I understand that the Jewish community gathers today under a dark cloud and I'm heartbroken at that fact," says NSW Premier Chris Minns.
NSW Premier Chris Minns affirmed his support for Israel and the Jewish community at Sydney’s Central Synagogue on Friday evening following the arson attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue earlier that day.
Minns spoke just before Shabbat came in and immediately described the Adass incident as “an act of terrorism”, but reassured the community that the majority of Australians “are with you tonight”.
“I understand that the Jewish community gathers today under a dark cloud and I’m heartbroken at that fact,” said Minns.
“I can say as Premier that the vast majority of Australians, of different faiths and religions, celebrate and love our Jewish friends; acknowledge the amazing contribution that the Jewish community has made to our state and our country; further acknowledge that Israel is an amazing oasis, a friend and an ally to Australia and a marvel to the world of Jewish resistance and rebirth; and lastly, and forcefully, condemn these hate crimes. These are not empty words.”
Minns said he is “appalled” that the hateful acts directed towards the Jewish communities in Melbourne and Sydney over the past 14 months have shaken Australia’s promise that it would be a country that “accepts and celebrates this ancient and important religion”.
“And I don’t shy away from accepting responsibility of my government to do what needs to be done to confront it,” he said.
Rabbi Levi Wolff thanked Minns for his leadership and unwavering support and made an impassioned plea for him to do even more.
“The Jewish community has absolutely had enough,” said Rabbi Wolff.
“And so we look to you Premier, someone the Jewish people know we can rely on, to show at a pivotal time like this the strongest leadership you’ve ever been able to muster and to finally put an end to the climate of Jewish hatred.
“If anybody can do something, it’s Chris Minns.”
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