Opinion
Australia’s support of a two-state solution in the Middle East is better for securing Israel than the messianic desire of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s partners to annex the territories and ethnically cleanse Gaza of its inhabitants.
The atrocious terrorist attack that befell Sydney on Sunday was not a random act of violence. It targeted the peaceful Jewish community of Australia and was fuelled by hatred spread intentionally and insistently by a web of malignant anti-Jewish actors. Unfortunately, there has not always been a forceful enough reaction by senior Australian government authorities to some violent anti-Israeli and anti-Jewish events.
It is precisely because of the real and deadly threats faced by Jews around the globe that leaders of the Israeli and Jewish communities have a sacred obligation to address these threats with candour, intelligence and rigour. This is a test that Netanyahu failed utterly in his recent disingenuous, opportunistic broadside against the Australian government. And it is why I want to react to some of Netanyahu’s most blatant and counter-productive fallacies.
Netanyahu baselessly asserted that the Australian government’s position in favour of a Palestinian state “poured fuel on the antisemitic fire” that caused this horror. This is worse than nonsense.
While I am not always on the same page with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese – and I was disappointed several times when his reactions sounded more anti-Israel than against the Israeli government – I share with him the same perception that a two-state solution is the only possible solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. And it is essential for Israel’s long-term security. If supporting a non-militarised Palestinian state alongside the state of Israel is antisemitism, then many, many Israelis – I being one of them – are in that same place.
Australia, and particularly Sydney, a city I love, were the focus of some of the most aggressive riots against Israel and Jews immediately after the carnage on October 7, 2023. The antisemitic chants emanating in those days from a hateful few can never be forgotten or forgiven. However, to accuse the government of Australia or its prime minister of promoting and fuelling antisemitism is outrageous, ugly and unjustified.
Much more absolutely must be done to counter intolerably rising antisemitism in Australia. But contrary to Netanyahu’s assertions, the Australian government has taken some important steps under current leadership.
To accuse the government of Australia or its prime minister of promoting and fuelling antisemitism is outrageous, ugly and unjustified.
Some highlights to date include the Australian Federal Police’s “Operation Avalite” to investigate antisemitic acts, unmasking Iran’s role behind antisemitic arson attacks and then expelling the Iranian ambassador (the first since Japan’s ambassador was expelled in World War II), assuming new powers to tackle state-sponsored terrorism and domestic hate crimes, and spending $25 million to increase security at Jewish community sites. The appointment of Jillian Segal as Australia’s first special envoy to combat antisemitism was another important step – one that must now be quickly followed by rigorous implementation of her recommendations.
All of Australian society must work against antisemitism. Thankfully, the reactions this week give reason for hope. The weeping crowds at the Bondi memorial have included all of Australia’s renowned multicultural community. Clergy from every faith have condemned the violence, offered love to Australia’s Jews, and asked everyone to transcend hate so that we may live together in peace. Though it follows an unspeakable horror, this week in Sydney the loving majority rose up to drown out the hateful few. May it continue to be so.
The ultimate lesson from Bondi, and from our broader conflict in the Middle East, remains this: “We must live together as brothers, or perish together as fools,” as Dr Martin Luther King Jr wisely put it. In living that lesson, I hope you take inspiration from the selfless example of Ahmed al Ahmed, the brave Syrian-born Australian Muslim father-of-two, who risked his life by rushing in to save Jews and all endangered innocents at Bondi.
Please tune out Israel’s PM Bibi Netanyahu, who exploits tragedy to attack allies, only to deflect from his own profound failures as a leader. His spurious inflammation and many leadership failings effect Jewish safety everywhere. Australia’s Jews – just like Israel’s Jews – deserve far better leadership than that.
Our urgent mission, which Israelis and our allies must pursue together, is to keep working for a lasting, secure peace, including a two-state resolution. May your painfully fresh imperative to ensure Jewish safety spur these efforts forward, rather than derail them. Our shared future depends on it.
Ehud Olmert served as Israeli prime minister from 2006 until 2009.
Ehud Olmert served as Israeli prime minister from 2006 until 2009.
