April 25, 2024
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton addressed a packed St Kilda Shule in Melbourne on Friday, telling the audience that the magnitude and the intensity of antisemitism which has emerged in Australia recently is shocking.
As he arrived, a group of Jewish pro-Palestine demonstrators waving a Palestinian flag protested outside the synagogue.
They sang Lo Yisa Goy and carried placards saying “Zionism is chametz”, “No nationalism in our shules” and “Peter Dutton is trayf”.
Senator James Paterson introduced Dutton, telling the audience of more than 500 that the Liberal Party stands with Israel and the Jewish community, not just when it is easy or popular, but when it is tough.
“We are not fair-weather friends. We know the difference between a liberal democracy and a terrorist organisation,” he said.
Dutton told the crowd that the events at the Sydney Opera House have shown there are people in our country who do not subscribe to our democratic values.
“We’ve seen some of them opposite the gates here today. People who have torn up the social contract – people who do not want to change for Australia, but want, instead, for Australia to change for them,” he said.
The Opposition Leader called for a society wide effort – from parents, from educators, from community leaders, and parliamentarians – to reassert our cultural values.
Dutton told The AJN in an exclusive interview following the event that the treatment of the Jewish community at the moment is unconscionable.
“People are living in fear. People are worried about their children and grandchildren going to school. They have armed guards at places of worship, and in and outside schools. And that is completely and utterly unacceptable in our country,” he said.
He said it should be clear to all Australians from the Prime Minister down that we wouldn’t treat any segment of our society in a way that the Jewish community is being treated at the moment.
He also criticised the government’s moves to potentially recognise a Palestinian state, although be doesn’t believe they will actually do it.
“The government has done significant damage to the relationship with Israel. It’s important to note that Israel has shared intelligence with us in the past, and I hope and pray into the future they’ll continue to do so because it’s kept our interest safe from al-Qaeda and other terrorist networks,” Dutton told The AJN.
He said he isn’t guided by the numbers of people in different groups in the community when determining matters of moral clarity like this.
St Kilda shule’s Rabbi Yaakov Glasman, who invited Dutton, said the synagogue is apolitical and invites political leaders from both main parties.
“I must say the community’s reception to Mr Dutton’s visit was incredible. He spoke powerfully about the evils of antisemitism and Australia’s need to support Israel as one of its most important allies,” he said.
