Vile thugs must never march again
As we honoured Kristallnacht and our fallen soldiers, vile thugs reminded us hatred still walks free.
In the past week, we have observed two solemn anniversaries – one as Jews, one as Australians.
November 9-10 marked 87 years since Kristallnacht, the pogrom against Jews in Nazi Germany that preluded the Holocaust.
November 11 was Remembrance Day, so timed to coincide with the end of the First World War but honouring soldiers who have died in the line of duty during all wars, including fighting against the same Nazis in the Second World War.
We commemorate the first so that the world doesn’t forget where hatred can lead. And we remember the sacrifice of Australian troops on the second for fighting to protect the freedoms that all Australians hold dear. As Jews, this includes the ability to live freely while openly practising our faith and celebrating our culture.
Last Saturday, we were reminded in the ugliest of fashions why it is so important that we memorialise both. For there are some among us who celebrate the hatred of the Nazis. They despise that we as Jews have the same freedom to participate in our democracy as our fellow countrymen.
This rabble of neo-Nazis who assembled outside NSW Parliament House have been rightly condemned across the political spectrum. But their assembly should never have been permitted to happen.
That the thugs applied through official channels for permission to conduct their vile display seemed to come as a surprise to NSW Premier Chris Minns and newly minted Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon – both of whom we must say, have been steadfast friends of our community.
Now we know that at least one parliamentarian mounted a last minute, yet doomed to fail, attempt to have it shut down. And on Tuesday it was revealed that Deputy Commissioner Peter Thurtell knew last Monday but in “an oversight”, neglected to tell his boss. Reports indicate that his subsequent apology to Lanyon was accepted.
It’s not good enough. The buck has to stop with someone.
If there is no accountability, it doesn’t matter how many laws the NSW government, after the fact, tries to strengthen. When push comes to shove, we can have no faith that said laws will be used.
We, the Jewish community, demand a better explanation, and an assurance that such a gathering will not happen again.