Ex prime minister Scott Morrison urges rally ‘not to forget’ October 7th attacks

Former prime minister Scott Morrison has urged Australia not to forget about the October 7 attacks in Israel as over 10,000 people rallied against anti-Semitism.

Former prime minister Scott Morrison at a rally against anti-semitism in The Domain on Sunday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

Former prime minister Scott Morrison has accused the United Nations of anti-Semitism, urging Australia not to forget about the October 7 attacks in Israel as over 10,000 people rallied on Sunday.

The group gathered in The Domain for the Never Again rally, protesting the rise of anti-semitism in Australia.

Mr Morrison, who travelled to Israel following the Hamas attacks and was a key speaker at the rally, said the purpose of the gathering was to “reveal the dark heart of anti-Semitism that continues to linger below the surface, both here in Australia and elsewhere.”

“Applying double standards by requiring of...Israel, a behaviour not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation, that is anti-Semitism,” he said.

“And we have seen that in the United Nations.”

Scott Morrison speaking at the Never Again is Now rally in The Domain. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

In January, the UN ruled Israel had to do everything it could to prevent acts of genocide against the Palestinian people during the ongoing conflict.

Mr Morrison, who last month retired from politics, also listed off examples of what he labelled anti-Semitic behaviour, such as comparisons between Nazi Germany and the Israeli government and the phrase "from the river to the sea”.

“Instead of support, we have seen those living under the freedom of democracy in this country calling for the extinction of the State of Israel from the river to the sea,” he said.

Mr Morrison drew cheers as he said people were “ignorant of the real meaning of those words”, and of the “violent and anti-Semitic nature of those statements”.

Mr Morrison, also apologised to Jewish people among the crowd, saying he was “deeply sorry” on behalf of Australia.

“Sadly instead of finding consolation, on too many occasions you find isolation, and even abandonment, and even persecution in this, a free country,” he said.

“Instead of safety, you were confronted with threats and even hatred.”

Former prime minister Scott Morrison and Senator Jacqui Lambie shaking hands at the rally. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

He also denounced anyone who “want to forget October 7th”.

“They want to remember things before October 7th and after October 7th. And they want to avoid the horror and atrocities of October 7th, as they deal with the terrible situation in the Middle East,” Mr Morrison said.

“October 7th we must remember. When we say never again, we say never again to October 7th. Because on October 7th, the free world failed in its promise of never again.”

Mr Morrison reiterated his support for a two-state solution, which some members of the crowd shouted back ‘no!’.

“Peace is not simply the absence of conflict, which we all wish to see,” he said.

“For Israelis and Palestinians alike, the freedom, justice and unity behind secure borders. Where people can live their lives free from oppression, fear and persecution. This is why the state of Israel exists today. It is also why I would say that Palestine must exist. It is why a two state solution must continue to be our goal.”

Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie also spoke at the rally, stating that the rising anti-Semitism was “shameful”.

Senator Jacqui Lambie is greeted by supporters during a rally against antisemitism. Picture: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)

“Last year I asked the Australian people how they would feel if their kids were afraid to go to school like some of yours this year. Wasn’t that shameful,” she said.

“How would they feel if people were sticking swastikas on their businesses? I’d tell you how they’d feel in Tasmania, it wouldn’t go down well. How would they feel if their teenagers were attacked in the streets because they looked a certain way?

“This is what is happening to Jewish kids and their families and businesses since Hamas attacked on October 7. I hope this awful, hateful behaviour would stop and I wish it hadn’t bloody started!”

One of the event’s organisers told The Daily Telegraph that the idea for Christians to rally around the Jewish community was born over the kitchen table.

“[We knew] that we’ve got to do something, that [as] Christians we can’t stand silent like in the 1930s. Horrific things are happening on our streets here in Sydney,” he said.

“Like the fact that people are celebrating the death of others blows my mind.”

The rally included speakers, songs and prayers as well as a pop-up exhibition by several Israeli artists.

Following the rally, artists noticed some of the artworks, displayed on lifesize cutouts set up to represent the Israeli hostages taken by Hamas, had been damaged, with several seen to be in half and on the ground.

A pop-up exhibition at the Never Again is Now rally, where artworks were damaged.

A pop-up exhibition at the Never Again is Now rally, where artiworks were damaged.

Exhibit organiser Noy Miran said the installation had been set up as a show of “solidarity”.

“The art is a peaceful act of solidarity with the Jewish community,” she said.

“The whole purpose of the [rally] is to show the support of the Australian community with the rising anti-Semitism happening in Australia.

“The fact the artwork (was damaged) we have an issue in the Australian community.”

Police attended the rally and said no reports had been made about the artworks being damaged, and no other incidents or arrests occurred during the authorised rally.

Originally published as Ex prime minister Scott Morrison urges rally ‘not to forget’ October 7th attacks