Rinehart condemns antisemitism

Mining magnate Gina Rinehart condemned antisemitic violence and questioned whether the government’s response to the Bondi Beach massacre was adequate in an Anzac Day eve speech at the Sydney Opera House.

Speaking on Friday, Rinehart said the community had witnessed “places of Jewish worship forced to employ security” and “members of our government engaging in pro-Palestinian rallies, where people are yelling hate and death chants”.

She questioned whether symbolic gestures were sufficient in response to “such a despicable, hate-filled act – the murder of our Jewish friends, peacefully gathered in Bondi at the commencement of Chanukah”.

“Is it adequate when we know that many in our Jewish community are still living in fear of their lives?” Rinehart asked.

Rinehart said those not of the Jewish faith “may believe that signing a condolence book, lighting a candle, or laying taxpayer-funded flowers” was sufficient, but questioned the failure to designate certain organisations as terrorist groups or make it unlawful to fund them.

She criticised the government’s enforcement of hate speech laws, asking: “What happened to laws against hate speech, are those laws deaf when hate and death chants are yelled?”

Warning that persecution extends beyond targeted groups, Rinehart said: “If we consider the suffering of those living under communist and terror regimes, we should understand this: persecution does not stop with one group.

“After the Jews, who is next? Roman Catholics? Other peaceful faiths? As none are in accord with the religion acceptable to terrorists.”

She called for stronger immigration procedures, saying immigrants should be “thoroughly checked – including their phones, iPads, laptops and social media” to protect the country and “welcome only peace-loving, contributing immigrants to our shores”.

“The Anzac spirit is not only history. It is a responsibility. And that responsibility is now ours,” she said.