Solidarity

We opined on this page last week that the rescue of two Israeli hostages from Hamas captivity in Gaza was a much-needed win during these fraught times.

While we still despair for the hostages that remain and for the task that still lies ahead for Israeli troops in Rafah, this week we are at least pleased to have been blessed with a few more wins.

The rescinding of the University of Melbourne Student Union’s virulently anti-Israel motion means that Jewish students can feel that little bit safer on campus.

We hope this outcome will serve as an example to other student unions around Australia that playing one-sided geopolitics with little real understanding of the issues involved makes no difference on the world stage, but only serves to alienate and isolate fellow students.

We were further reassured this week by news that both the Melbourne and Brisbane comedy festivals removed British performer Paul Currie from their line-ups after his vile antisemitic act during a London performance.

His removal shows there are consequences of antisemitism. Consequences for some that is – it is a shame that the Sydney Opera House has declined to follow suit and remove Clementine Ford from the All About Women festival to be held there next month.

But by far the brightest recent light in these dark times was Sunday’s Australians United Against Antisemitism rally, organised by members of Australia’s Christian community.

With up to 12,000 in attendance, it was the reminder we needed that we do have friends who share our values and who will stand up for us, as speaker after speaker did in front of a crowd where the solidarity and warmth was palpable.

We look forward to more such events taking place around Australia as planned.

There is a long way to go. Israel’s imminent operation in Rafah, where the remaining Hamas battalions await, is going to be complex. Ill-informed warnings against the operation by well-meaning western leaders are certain to give way to cynical condemnations once it gets underway, which will no doubt fuel the cycle of antisemitism here in Australia.

But we will continue to counter it. As as our Christian and other friends showed last Sunday, we don’t have to do it alone.

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