Peris’ ordeal during Iran strikes on Israel
'I think, you know, ultimately, when you look back, I just think the resilience of Jewish people is just unbelievable'
Former Labor Senator Nova Peris has recounted the “surreal” and terrifying experience of being in Israel during Iran’s massive missile attack, describing how she and fellow Australians spent the night in bomb shelters as 800 projectiles rained down on the country.
The Olympic Gold Medal winner, who was a Senator from 2013 to 2016, made the remarks in conversation with Sky News broadcaster Sharri Markson at an event co-hosted by JCA NSW and the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) on Sunday.
Peris, who was in Israel on an AIJAC study mission of Indigenous Australians and to receive an award from the Technion, said the scale of the Iranian assault created “unprecedented fear” among Israelis accustomed to rocket attacks but relying on the Iron Dome defence system.
“Because the Iran missiles were so large in volume, coming 50 or 100 at a time, some were coming through,” Peris said. “This was an unprecedented level of fear for Israelis.”
The former Olympic sprinter described how she and other Australians were forced to sleep in bomb shelters during the multi-day assault.
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