Queensland’s Jewish community gathers in Brisbane’s CBD

Hundreds of demonstrators have gathered in Brisbane’s CBD, many dressed in blue and white and holding Israel flags or signs as they fought back tears.

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Brisbane’s CBD on Sunday, filling the amphitheatre at Roma St Parkland dressed in blue and white, many holding Israel flags and holding signs.

“Israel we stand with you,” some read while others had faces of Israeli citizens understood to have been kidnapped during Hamas’s attack on Israel, written with “bring them home”.

One woman held a sign saying “Tongans stand with Israel”.

Police and private security surrounded Sunday’s event as a representative from the Sunshine Coast Jewish community led the Mourner’s Kaddish hymn.

The first speaker said the death toll from last weekend’s attack on Israel was proportionally worse than that of the September 11 attacks on the United States.

“It’s painful and it’s simply horrific, but today we come together to feel the connection of Am Israel, to mourn those we have lost and those still lost and missing,” he said

“And importantly, to look each other in the eyes and remind ourselves that we are strong.”

A woman in the crowd weeps as Brisbane’s jewish community gathered in the Roma Street Parklands in support of Israel on Sunday. Picture: Lachie Millard

A young Brisbane woman named Ruby, who returned to Brisbane on Saturday after the Hamas attack caused an early end to her Shnat - a gap year in Israel to experience the culture and fulfil the role of a Jewish Zionist - recounted the terror she experienced.

“It was 6.30am and they told us that Gaza was attacking … we thought they were just being dramatic,” she said.

“We were all talking in the shelter … suddenly the ground shakes … followed by a missile hit extremely close to us.

“Everyone went silent besides a few whispers of ‘I’m scared’ and ‘I want to go home’.”

The gathering on Sunday. Picture: Lachie Millard

State MP’s Leanne Linard, Jarrod Bleijie and Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner were all present at Sunday’s demonstration.

A spokesman for the Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies and State Zionist Council of Queensland commended Mr Schrinner “for his very public display of support this week”, gandering a large applause.

In her speech Multicultural Affairs Minister Ms Linard acknowledged “every single one of the lives that we have seen so tragically lost over this past week”.

The crowd on Sunday. Picture: Lachie Millard

“Queensland thankfully is a beacon of multiculturalism,” she said.

“Our state is a rich multicultural tapestry where heritage, faith and customs are deeply respected.”

“I can say on behalf of our government, there is no place for hatred or violence.”

The Deputy Opposition leader and Lord Mayor both decried the acts of Hamas, saying “no to terrorism”.

An emotional Mr Schrinner said there was no question that the city of Brisbane would support Israel.

“Some people will say these things are complicated, they are not,” he said.

“In my mind, this is not an issue of sides … this is an issue of humanity.”

A man holds his baby in the crowd as Brisbane’s Jewish community held a peaceful gathering in the Roma Street Parklands. Picture: Lachie Millard

He also again critiqued the peaceful protest held in solidarity with Palestine.

“Did you know that to create an event like this, that requires a permit, to have a protest as occurred on Friday night doesn’t require a permit,” he said.

“Thank you for doing the right thing, thank you for coming together in peace and harmony, we are in your corner we are on your side.”

National Director of Bridges to Peace: Christians supporting Israel, Matthew Chirvas choked back tears as he spoke to the crowd.

“I was profoundly impacted six and a half years ago when I first traveled to Israel,” he said.

“I am not Jewish. There’s a part of me that wishes I was, there’s also a part of me that’s glad I’m not, because I can stand here as a non Jew and declare and pledge my allegiance to Israel.

“I’ve been deeply concerned by the things we’ve seen around our nation rising up in support, trying to justify … this can not be … this is not a nation that should tolerate such things.”

A QJBD spokeswoman said Sunday’s event was about “providing an opportunity for our community and our friends to come together to show support for Israel and the Jewish people”.

A little girls waves an Israel flag at the gathering.

Pictures: Lachie Millard

“We wanted to create a peaceful space for our community to mourn, grieve - knowing they are surrounded by loved ones,” she said.

“The horrific acts we have witnessed over the last week - and continue to witness - are the result of pure Jew-hatred. The antisemitic attacks in Sydney and Melbourne have also been shocking and made our community very concerned.

“But, our solidarity event today was about shining a sliver of light, in these very dark times.”

The peaceful event ended with the Australian and the Israeli national anthems.

Several people were seen getting emotional during the event. Picture: Lachie Millard

EARLIER

Queensland’s Jewish community will hold a “peaceful” gathering in Brisbane’s CBD on Sunday to show their “solidarity for Israel” as the Israel-Hamas war rages on.

The United with Israel rally will be held in the Roma Street Parkland amphitheatre from 3pm with registered attendees encouraged to “dress in blue and white, and bring Israeli and Australian flags”.

The “peaceful gathering” is supported by the Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies and State Zionist Council of Queensland.

“Any disruptive or unlawful behaviour will not be tolerated,” according to the event details.

“Queensland Police and security will be at the event.”

Deputy Commissioner Tracy Linford on Friday said police had stepped up patrols around places of worship in Queensland, for both Jewish and Islamic communities, since the events in Israel and Gaza last week.

Specialist officers from the Public Safety Response Team formed part of Friday night’s patrol of the peaceful pro-Palestine rally in Brisbane’s CBD with no arrests made.

Protestors at King George Square in Brisbane during a Justice for Palestine rally on Friday. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

“Rallies, vigils, protests are often a very good means for people to be able to come out, express that emotion, get support from others and actually demonstrate what their concerns might be, “ Ms Linford said on Friday.

“Every Queenslander has the right to feel safe and certainly with the events that are planned so far, we will not tolerate any violence.”

Ms Linford said law enforcement jurisdictions around Australia had been discussing how they can provide support while also monitoring “any uprising of violence” around the country.

“And we are very comfortable at this point in time, that the threat level remains low,” she said.

“The threat level in Australia is possible. We don’t have any intelligence to suggest that there would be any terrorist attacks on our land. And we are comfortable with that position at the moment. “

On Friday, Assistant Commissioner Brian Connors said the police response during Sunday’s rally would be “exactly the same” but that the QPS would be “keeping tabs on changes that are occurring externally to the police service and to the community more broadly”.

“And I guess accessing the risks that goes with that with the whole attention of the police service to keep the community safe and nothing more,” he said.