Perth stands against hate
The Never Again is Now event was organised by Pastor Mark Leach and a group of 30 WA-based volunteers.
Three thousand people gathered outside the Western Australian Parliament in Perth to stand for love against the ancient hatred of antisemitism on Sunday, October 27.
The Never Again is Now event was organised by Pastor Mark Leach and a group of 30 WA-based volunteers.
Speakers at the event included Leach, Perth Hebrew Congregation’s Rabbi Dan Lieberman, Liberal Senators Dean Smith and Matt O’Sullivan, Australian Christian Lobby WA state director Peter Abetz, WA Police Minister Paul Papalia and Australian Christian Party WA state director Maryka Groenewald.
Senator Smith told the crowd, “Our bond with the Jewish people is unbreakable.
“It is deeply concerning that despite Israel’s right to defend itself, a right that would be given to any other Western nation, protests have erupted across our nation and across the globe,” he said.
“They are an ugly reminder of how antisemitism, one of the most ancient of evils, has once again been emboldened.”
Representing Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, O’Sullivan said, “Israel has an absolute, undeniable right to protect and defend herself.”
Throughout the rally, speakers emphatically called for Christians and everyday Australians to confront antisemitism directly and stand with Israel and Australia’s Jewish community.
Abetz, amid tears, declared, “I would call upon everyone here today and to every fellow Australian, that if we do not call out antisemitism whenever we see it, we are complicit.
“Whatever your background, each and every one of us is made in the image of God and has inherent value … it is critical that every one of us take up the responsibility to never be silent.”
Groenewald said, “Whilst we stand together with Israel – and absolutely against any form of antisemitism – it is so important that we also stand together in prayer.”
Numerous members of the Iranian community, particularly the group Iranian Constitutional Monarchists WA, brandishing the historical Iranian flag, proclaimed their solidarity and support with the Jewish community.
Representing the group, Mona Afshar said, “The ties between Iranians and Jewish people are millennia old … the Islamic republic is not the representative of the Iranian people.”
The rally concluded with the Hatikvah and a song of the priestly blessing.
A handful of anti-Israel protesters attempted to infiltrate the event but were issued a move-on notice by police.
It was the sixth large event – a rally has been held in each major city – across Australia led by the Never Again is Now movement.
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