Our allies, our shared fight

With all that our community has endured over the last two years, it is perhaps unsurprising that 56 per cent who responded to The AJN‘s social media poll this week believe non-Jewish Australians are apathetic or perhaps even hostile to us.

But we must not overlook that 36 per cent of respondents believe there’s a “silent majority” who support us. And last weekend, across 15 Australian cities, that silence was broken.

The “Australians Against Antisemitism” rallies, organised by Never Again Is Now (NAIN), weren’t Jewish community events with a smattering of allies. In many locations, 90 per cent of attendees were Christian. In Sydney and Melbourne, the split was roughly even.

These rallies represent a groundswell of ordinary Australians refusing to stay silent while hatred festers. They came because they believe antisemitism has no place in Australia. They see the threat as not just our problem, but as a challenge to the values that define this country.

So too, the speakers at the events, representing the tapestry of our nation from First Nations Australians to those of European descent, to Lebanese and Iranian Australians, from all walks of life, were further proof that that tapestry includes us too. Our sincerest appreciation goes out to NAIN, its founder Mark Leach, his team, and their supporters. Their voices are a light, a beacon of truth and moral clarity.

Meanwhile, as detailed in this week’s news feature, the Hindu community has been a staunch ally throughout the darkness of the past two years. In January, Hindu Council of Australia national president Sai Paravastu stood alongside Jewish leaders, publicly warning that those who hate Jewish Australians “hate people of all faiths”. Hindus have been prominent at rallies against terror and in support of Jews and Israel ever since October 7, 2023.

And last week, Sarah Murdoch, upon being recognised by Tel Aviv University for her support of our community, delivered a heartfelt and genuine speech describing her heartbreak at seeing how the Jewish community has been treated.

So, there are Australians who support our community. There are fellow citizens who will put themselves out there on our behalf.

Some in the silent majority may still be finding their voice, but thousands have spoken, and their solidarity reminds us that we are not alone in this fight.