Now more than ever, we need upstanders

At a time when antisemitism is at an all-time high and Israel faces existential threats, the need for upstanders has never been more urgent. History has repeatedly shown the devastating consequences of standing by while injustice unfolds. As we mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation from the Nazi death camps, and as Israel defends itself following the October 7 Hamas attack, it is clear that we must mobilise against the rising tide of hatred.

One of the most profound ways to foster understanding and action is through education. Organising the first-ever parliamentary delegation to participate in March of the Living (MOTL) is something I am immensely proud of. We were fortunate to have Melbourne Holocaust Museum president Sue Hampel guide our delegation. Now more than ever we need more lawmakers to take part in these programs to ensure they witness history firsthand and become upstanders against hate.

This trip was not just about observing history; it was about confronting the deep-rooted dangers of complacency. Standing where millions of Jews were murdered and hearing stories from Holocaust survivors reinforced the urgent need to educate leaders to return home armed with knowledge and moral clarity.

One of the most meaningful aspects of this trip was its bipartisan nature. Alongside my colleague and co-convenor of the Victorian Parliamentary Friends of Israel, Paul Hamer, we ensured this delegation represented unity beyond politics.

In Krakow, we visited the Jewish Community Centre, where we witnessed the extraordinary work of Jonathan Ornstein, who founded the centre in 2008 to rebuild Jewish life. His centre has since also become a lifeline for Ukrainian refugees, offering critical support and humanitarian aid. Meeting refugees who had fled Russian aggression provided a stark reminder that the horrors of war are not confined to history. Ornstein and his volunteers are true upstanders, demonstrating courage and compassion in the face of adversity.

Marching from Auschwitz I to Birkenau alongside Holocaust survivor Mark Spigelman, who survived by disguising himself as a girl, was profoundly moving. Mark’s journey, from escaping death to rebuilding his life in Australia as a surgeon and medical archaeologist, is a testament to human resilience. As rain soaked us at the conclusion of the march, I couldn’t help but think: whatever discomfort we felt for a few hours was nothing compared to the unimaginable suffering endured by those in the Nazi death camps.

After reflecting on the past in Poland, our journey continued with four Liberal and National MPs visiting Israel, where we shifted our focus to the present realities facing the country. Organised by Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) executive manager Joel Burnie, and guided by Jamie Hyams, the trip was part of the celebrations for Israel’s 77th anniversary. This visit was unlike any of the previous delegations I had led. Past trips celebrated Israel’s innovation, vibrancy and the remarkable perseverance of the Jewish people. This time the tone was different. The devastation of October 7 still loomed over the nation.

At Kibbutz Be’eri, the Nova site, and the Tekuma Car Memorial, we witnessed firsthand the aftermath of Hamas terrorism. We met an Arab Bedouin farmer who risked his life to save four young people from the Nova party, a true upstander in the most harrowing circumstances.

In Majdal Shams, we visited the site where a Hezbollah rocket killed 12 Druze children playing football. We sat with their parents, listening to stories of hope and peace in the midst of unimaginable grief. Their resilience was humbling. They gifted us a football, asking us to bring it back to Australia to share their story, so that their tragedy would not be forgotten, and that others could be inspired to stand against violence.

At Yad Vashem, we placed stones from Oskar Schindler’s factory in Warsaw at the Schindler tree in the Avenue of the Righteous. Schindler’s bravery in saving over 1200 Jewish lives during the Holocaust serves as a powerful reminder that one person’s actions can make a difference. He was an upstander.

We participated in Yom Hazikaron ceremonies at Latrun, the Armoured Corps Memorial and Museum. This year’s Memorial Day was especially solemn due to the ongoing conflicts with Hamas and Hezbollah, making it all the more important to stand with Israel.

Our trip was meant to conclude with celebrations for Yom Ha’atzmaut. Instead, those celebrations were cancelled due to a wildfire, suspected to have been deliberately lit by terrorists. The timing was no accident. This act was meant to inflict psychological and emotional distress on Israel.

This journey reinforced a critical truth: silence is complicity. Now more than ever, we need leaders, influencers and advocates to be educated, engaged and ready to take action against antisemitism.

I am hopeful that this first parliamentary delegation was just the beginning. Through programs like MOTL, and the continued efforts of AIJAC, which has been instrumental in taking politicians, journalists and thought leaders to Israel, we must ensure that truth prevails over propaganda. The eight politicians who participated in this trip are now upstanders, ready to speak out, educate others, and stand in unwavering support of Israel and the Jewish community.

Will you be an upstander too?

David Southwick is the Member for Caulfield in the Victorian State Parliament.