Australia Shame on You!

It’s been six days since Melbournes Adass Israel Synagogue was firebombed in the early hours of Friday before the Jewish Sabbath that night. It took Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese two days before he visited the crime scene. Where he employed banter over substance in addressing the Jew Hatred on display for all to see in the ashes of contempt Jews are held in by a growing number of Australians.

Why should this be so? Doesn’t Australia pride itself on a ‘Fair go for all!’? One would have thought so. However, the Albanese Labour government has changed the political and ideological landscape beyond recognition from just two years ago. In that time, Australia’s bipartisan policy towards the State of Israel has become one of blatant hostility while embracing the fake Palestinian cause and adding its voice for a Palestinian state. Its Foreign Minister, Penny Wong, is the most outspoken advocate for condemning Israel and lauding fake Palestinians as the victims of Israeli aggression.

This government has pursued the anti-Israel policy without any real tactical compromises, without pragmatic adjustments, without deferring long-term goals in favour of short- or medium-term gains in the area of foreign policy. The Labour government, with Foreign Minister Penny Wong, determined to put the Left’s ideals into practice; their preferences in policy outcomes have significantly contributed to the upsurge in legitimising anti-Semitic behaviour, leading to acts of arson and intimidation towards the Jews of Australia.

If not careful, one could conclude that the evolution of anti-Israel, anti-Jewish policy was incoherent and misunderstood. This would be erroneous. The Labour Left, led by Penny Wong, are eminently coherent and goal-driven.

A first step in avoiding further damage to a fracturing Australian society would be the resignation of Foreign Minister Penny Wong.

Only time and action will tell if the Labour government is serious about fighting Jew-Hatred and the demonising of Israel as the one Jewish State.

Yosef Yigal Drever

Yosef Yigal Drever and Sylvia Drever co-founded Achdut HaLev in 2006 to reach out to the Jewish community's around the world providing support in learning Torah and promoting the 'Return of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel.' Yosef Yigal made Aliya in 2014 while Sylvia his wife is an Israeli. In late 2014 Achdut HaLev concentrated all its resources towards Aliya and the rebuilding of Eretz Yisrael. Excluding none and embracing all. The commandment to settle the Land of Israel is equal in importance to all the Torah Commandments all together: (Sifri Deut 12:29)