Stand by Israel, stand up for Jewish Australians

But while upholding the right of the Jewish homeland haven to exist, established after six million European Jews were exterminated in the Holocaust during World War II, it is also right to acknowledge the suffering of the five million Palestinians living in what are effectively the world’s biggest refugee camps in Gaza and the West Bank.

In the past decade or so, understandable sympathy for the Palestine people’s plight and support for Palestinian statehood has hardened sections of world opinion against Israel.

Yet what should now be obvious to all is that there will be no realistic prospect of a lasting peace process leading to a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict so long as an Islamist terrorist organisation committed to the elimination of Israel remains in charge in Gaza.

Reputation besmirched

Australia is a long-standing friend of the Middle East’s only functioning democracy, which during Israel’s three-quarters of a century of existence has transformed a desert into a modern and sophisticated first world country. That achievement is on top of the outsized contribution that Jewish artists, scholars and entrepreneurs have made to global civilisation.

That includes the prominent roles that Jewish Australians play in this nation’s cultural, academic and business life, which is a proud chapter in modern Australia’s story as one of the world’s most successful multicultural societies.

Yet amid the turmoil and tragedy in Israel, Australia’s reputation for racial tolerance and social harmony has been besmirched by Monday night’s disgraceful scenes at Sydney Opera House, which were beamed around the globe.

The nation’s most iconic building was lit with the Israeli flag, but the occasion was hijacked by pro-Palestinian demonstrators, leading NSW police to order Jewish people to stay at home – an unacceptable outcome that should be condemned as un-Australian.

The right to peaceful protest in a free country does not extend to chanting antisemitic hate speech, lighting flares and burning flags. The rule of law, which underpins the fair go for all colours and creeds in a multicultural society, includes the right of all citizens to safely gather at a public vigil for the victims of a terrorist attack.

The appalling outbreak of proverbial Arab street and importing of ancient and evil hatreds into downtown Australia cannot be tolerated.

With other demonstrations being planned around the country, there must be no repeat. If it is not safe for all members of the community to walk the streets, then the planned protests should not be approved by the authorities. Australia should stand by Israel and stand up for Jewish Australians.

At the same time, all must show mutual respect for people of all beliefs and faiths at a perilous moment for racial and religious relations the world over.