Senator Nampijinpa Price defends Israel at Central Shule

Country Liberal Party Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price delivered a passionate defence of Israel and condemnation of rising antisemitism at St Kilda Shule’s annual Henry Shaw Oration on Saturday night.

The Northern Territory Senator appeared alongside Liberal Senator James Paterson at Central Shule just days after being removed from the shadow frontbench for refusing to apologise for controversial comments about Indian migration.

Speaking to 400-500 congregants from Central Shule, St Kilda Shule and Blake Street Shule, Senator Price focused on what she termed “perversions of the truth” surrounding Israel.

“The victim, Israel, has been painted as the villain. And the villain, Hamas, seeks to portray itself as the victim,” she told the Melbourne gathering.

Senator Price argued that Israel has faced unprecedented scrutiny while fighting terrorist organisations including Hamas, Hezbollah and Iranian-backed groups.

“Since the 7th, Israel hasn’t only been defending itself from existential threats. Israel has also been defending itself from falsehood, from fiction, and from fabrication,” she said.

The Senator praised Jewish Australians’ resilience, noting they “never resort to a victimhood mentality” despite enduring significant antisemitism since October 7.

She criticised the Albanese Government’s decision to recognise Palestinian statehood, arguing it “endorsed Hamas’ use of terrorism to achieve political ends.”

Senator Price also targeted Australia’s education system, suggesting insufficient teaching of Jewish history has contributed to rising antisemitism among young people.

“There might be less antisemitism in Australia today if key facts were known. For example: The fact that the Jewish people trace their connection with the land of Israel to the second millennium BC,” she said.

The Senator was removed from her shadow defence industry portfolio on Wednesday after claiming the Labor government favoured Indian immigration to boost electoral prospects.

Opposition leader Sussan Ley said Senator Price had “failed to uphold the standards” expected of shadow ministers.

Senator Paterson’s presence alongside Senator Price appeared significant given recent Liberal Party turmoil.

Senator Price praised him as “one of the finest” Coalition MPs standing with Jewish Australians.

Central Shule’s Rabbi Shmuel Karnowsky said, “We were honoured to host Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price at our Shule for her first ever address to the Jewish community. Her moral clarity, courage and steadfast support and friendship for both the Jewish community and Israel resonated deeply with the hundreds who attended”.

Rabbi Yaakov Glasman of St Kilda Shule said Senator Price “spoke with eloquence and strength about the importance of maintaining moral clarity surrounding Israel and antisemitism.”

“She noted, importantly, that there might be less antisemitism in Australia today if the fact that the Jewish people trace our connection with the land of Israel to the second millennium BC, were more widely known,” Rabbi Glasman said.

The service was led by Chazzanim Brett Kaye, Didi Levin and Rabbi Noam Sendor, accompanied by the St Kilda Shule and Central Shule choirs.