- Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation
- Jeremy Leibler, President, Zionist Federation of Australia
- Elyse Schachna, President, Zionism Victoria
- Daniel Aghion, President, Executive Council of Australian Jewry
- Philip Zajac, President, Jewish Community Council of Victoria
- Brad Battin, State and Federal MPs, Consular representatives
- Community leaders and rabbis
Happy Independence Day to Israel.
77 years young and 3000 years old.
Independence changed everything for the most displaced people on earth.
Jews called for sovereignty and recognition, in their homeland.
And the citizens of the world – represented by the United Nations – agreed.
On that land, they rose forests from the desert – and cities from the sand.
And they shared their ingenuity with the world.
We gather tonight while Israel and its neighbours are enduring great pain.
And we all mourn the scale of that tragedy.
It began the day Hamas invaded – killing and kidnapping innocent people.
It has continued for 600 days.
Every Australian wants the hostages returned and the war to end…[PAUSE]
…and of course, we are entitled to have concerns about how that’s going.
I know Israel is fighting a terrorist organisation under very difficult circumstances.
But I do not agree with every decision of the Israeli Government.
Nor do I agree with the withholding of aid to Gaza.
However – we must all remember this fact:
The Government of Israel is not the same thing as the nation of Israel and the people of Israel.
And the Government of Israel is not the same thing as the Jewish community here in Victoria.
It distresses me that some are unable to recognise this distinction.
Members of the Jewish community in Victoria have suffered as a result.
People have been bullied, vilified and hurt.
And some have seen their lives flash before their eyes.
It is completely and utterly unacceptable.
I stand with Victorian Jews in the face of racism and anti-Semitism.
I stand with the young kid, the artist, the rabbi, and the mums and girls.
I am on their side.
I sat and listened – in your schools, homes, shules and community centres.
You shared with me your pain and hurt.
That directly shaped our Anti-Vilification and Social Cohesion Bill.
And it drove my determination to pass that Bill, so the law of the land protects you – with massive penalties for those who spread hate and fear.
It was a big fight to get it through.
And I just want everyone to know this:
It simply would not have passed without the intervention of leaders in this community. The achievement is yours.
I also want to prevent extremism on the streets.
Hate and antisemitism absolutely thrive in these environments.
That’s why we will give police more powers.
That work is underway.
Because chains and glue and dangerous devices aren’t reasonable.
And the symbols of terrorist organisations – including white nationalist groups – simply do not belong in public.
These actions all come from my fundamental belief – that multiculturalism is the solution, not the problem.
Our multicultural and multifaith orgs are our great champions of cohesion.
Yes, there is division in the community.
I have a step-by-step plan to renew that promise of unity.
Part of this is the formation of the Local Escalation and Help Group – Leah for short.
A taskforce of police, officials, community groups – but not politicians.
It’s up, running and working – and 10 or so people in this room are on it.
Some people have asked…is it intentional that the letters of this group spell out the name Leah?
Yes it is…in the Torah, Leah is the one who persevered.
It is your community groups who today are persevering.
I know the toll it takes on you, and your organisations.
I want to support you in any way I can.
The Rabbinical Council of Victoria has asked for funding to support their outreach and training programs – including for Rebbetzin.
We are so proud to be longstanding partners of the Rabbinical Council.
I’m pleased to announce tonight that the Government will provide them $150,000 over two years.
For the last 18 months, Beth Weizmann has been proud to deliver its Habayit program.
It keeps people safe, welcome, and connected to mental health support.
I’m pleased to announce tonight that the Government will provide Beth Weizmann more than $130,000 – to keep this program going.
And finally, the Holocaust Museum has asked for support to host an 80th anniversary event in the coming weeks, to give survivors a chance to reunite.
I’m pleased to announce today that the Government will partner with the Holocaust Museum – and provide $10,000 in co-funding.
It’s an honour to be here with the community tonight.
I pledge to keep working with your organisations in our joint mission…
…to restore a sense of normality here at home, in such an uncertain world.
Let us toast:
- the enduring strength of the Jewish people, in Israel and the world
- and the security and dignity of the Jewish community, here in Victoria.
La’chaim
