ZFA chief: Safety of Aussies in Israel ‘our highest priority’
'We are closely monitoring the rapidly evolving situation and remain in direct contact with the Australian Government and our partners on the ground'
Zionist Federation of Australia CEO Alon Cassuto has expressed concern for the safety of Australians who are currently in Israel, as the country bombs nuclear and other military targets in Iran.
“This is undoubtedly a stressful and uncertain time for our community. With hundreds of young Australians currently in Israel on ZFA partner programs, their safety remains our highest priority,” Cassuto said.
“We are closely monitoring the rapidly evolving situation and remain in direct contact with the Australian Government and our partners on the ground.
Our thoughts are with our friends and family in Israel, many of whom are now in bomb shelters under threat.
“The Iranian nuclear threat is not just a danger to Israel – it is a threat to all democracies. Am Yisrael Chai.”
Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-CEO Alex Ryvchin posted on X, “For years, the Iranian regime has moved towards a nuclear bomb, frequently playing western diplomats like fiddles and using the threat of its advancing nuclear program to achieve sanctions relief and deepen its terror network in the region and throughout the world. It propped up the regime of Assad, it owns Hezbollah and the Houthis and it helped plot October 7.
“The United States and Israel clearly calculated that Iran would never be subdued through diplomacy alone and the time to act was now. There will be statements urging caution and restraint from western governments but in much of Iran and among the Iranian diaspora there will be hopes that the regime will soon fall and Iran can become a prosperous, free and peaceful nation again,” he said. “Whether or not that happens, the world is safer with a severely weakened Iranian regime and it has been achieved through Israeli daring and sacrifice.
“Jewish Australians will be going into the Sabbath praying for the people of Israel and for the safety of Iranian civilians. We live in the hope that with this necessary act of force, the path to a peaceful Middle East is distinctly clearer. We are of course concerned by the implications of this latest escalation but have complete faith in our security agencies and police to keep us all safe but remind the community to remain vigilant.”
Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council executive director Colin Rubenstein said Israel’s military actions were “thoroughly justified by both the IAEA finding of Iranian breaches of its Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty obligations this week, and Iran’s blatant aggression against Israel over recent years”.
“The latter includes not only longstanding calls to destroy Israel, but the creation of a ‘Ring of Fire’ strategy, incorporating Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, Syria, and Iraqi groups violently targeting the Jewish state, and the two large-scale attacks Iran launched directly against Israel last year, employing hundreds of missiles and drones,” he said. “We note that the Arab states which have also been targeted by Iranian aggression are also likely hoping for the Israeli military efforts to succeed.
“As Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong noted in her media conference this morning, Iran’s nuclear and missile program has become an enormous ‘threat to international peace and security’. Like Senator Wong, we had also hoped ‘dialogue and diplomacy’ accompanied by economic and political pressure, could resolve this problem without the need for military action,” Rubenstein said.
“However, it has recently become very clear that diplomacy was never going to succeed before it was too late, and the irredentist and theocratic rogue regime in Teheran became a nuclear power.
“Our thoughts are now with the people of Israel as they huddle again in bomb shelters in this sadly unavoidable conflict created by Iranian aggression and defiance of international norms. We pray it ends quickly, with minimal loss of innocent life, and the Iranian threat to international peace and security dismantled, or at least significantly eroded.”
NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip said in an email to the community on Friday afternoon that the roof body was “actively monitoring the situation”.
“We will keep you updated as events unfold. If there are any local implications that you need to be aware of, we will be in immediate contact,” he said.
“As we head into Shabbat, it is critical that all community members report incidents and suspicious activity to CSG and remain vigilant. While there is currently no specific information suggesting an increased threat locally, the situation is dynamic and further escalations are likely.”
JCA NSW president Ian Sandler and CEO Alain Hasson said in an email to the community on Friday afternoon, “As the situation in the Middle East escalates following recent developments involving Iran, we at JCA stand in unwavering solidarity with the people of Israel.
Our thoughts are with all those impacted during this time. We know that many in our community have family and friends living in Israel, and we share in your concern, your pain, and your prayers. We hope and pray for the safety and protection of Klal Yisrael, for a swift end to hostilities and ultimately for lasting peace in the region.
“In moments like these, the strength and unity of our global Jewish family are more important than ever. Together, we stand strong – in spirit, in resolve, and in hope.”
CSG Victoria said in an email on Friday afternoon that it is “closely monitoring events in the Middle East, and out of an abundance of caution, will be increasing operations across the community”.
“Additionally, we have been in contact with Victoria Police, who have informed us that police will be supporting the Jewish community with heightened patrols,” CSG Victoria said.
“Whilst there are no credible or specific threats against the Victoria Jewish community, we know that this development is occurring during a complex time for Australian Jewry, and we are working proactively to ensure our community can continue to confidently live their Jewish way of life.”
More to come.
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