We, as former Prime Ministers of Australia, acknowledge the success of our multicultural nation, which is built upon the shared Australian values and the respect we have for the diverse cultures and faiths of our fellow Australians. In our country, there is no place for racial or religious hatred, regardless of what may be happening elsewhere in the world.
One form of hatred that we particularly condemn is antisemitism, which is an evil that persists relentlessly. The Australian Jewish community, who has directly suffered from the heinous crimes committed by Hamas, not only endures the loss and suffering of their families in Israel but also witnesses the exploitation of these events to perpetuate ancient hatreds that have inflicted immense suffering on the Jewish people for centuries.
However, no matter the concerns or complaints regarding international affairs, it is unjustifiable to engage in hate speech against any Australian or any Australian community. We firmly believe that our stance represents the vast majority of Australians, regardless of their faith or lack thereof, as we express our solidarity with Jewish Australians during this challenging time.
Similarly, we also stand in support of the Australian Palestinian community, whose families are experiencing immense pain and suffering in this ongoing conflict. They too deserve our love and assistance.
The success of our nation relies on our ability to prevent conflicts overseas from dividing Australians and turning them against each other. Therefore, we strongly condemn the brutal and murderous attack carried out by Hamas on Israeli families on October 7. After raining down thousands of rockets on Israel, Hamas terrorists invaded the country, kidnapping and murdering 1400 Israelis, including individuals of all ages and genders. This act of violence, which spared no one, not even infants, represents the largest massacre of Jewish people since the Holocaust and is comparable in its grotesque cruelty to that of ISIS.
We call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages taken by Hamas. The terrorists aimed to horrify and intimidate the people of Israel, shaking their faith in their technology, military, and government. Additionally, they sought to provoke Israel into a reaction that would result in countless deaths.
In conclusion, we urge unity and compassion among Australians, emphasizing the importance of rejecting hatred and violence in our society.