‘Felt like the world had spun of its axis’: Tiny town’s big Israel rally

A tiny Queensland town’s population swelled as hundreds grieved, sang and prayed together on the first anniversary of the brutal Hamas attack, calling for unity against the rise of antisemitism in Australia.

A humble town of hundreds hosted a powerful gathering at the weekend as Australian and Israeli flags were waved in unison on the one-year anniversary of the massacre carried out by Hamas terrorists.

Jubilee Dancers took to the bush stage in the small town of Bauple, between Maryborough and Gympie where more than 200 people grieved, sang, prayed for hostages and vowed “Never Again Is Now”.

The location had been closely guarded in the lead up to the event which had a heavy security presence

Among the speakers overcome with emotion was organiser Jennifer, who asked for her name to be withheld said October 7 would be forever etched in minds around the world as the day of massive horror that rose from the grave of the Holocaust when 1200 innocent people were hunted down and brutally murdered.

Jubilee dancers on stage at the Never Again is Now rally in Bauple.

“The war continues but today we also choose to celebrate hope,” she said, calling for unity against the rising incidents of antisemitism in Australia.

Osnat Patton broke down in grief as she told Israeli supporters and the members of the Queensland Jewish community, many of whom had travelled from across SEQ, of the numbness she felt as messages of death flooded from friends and relatives in the hours after the Hamas atrocities.

She said she was broken and humanity was broken.

Osnat Patton, pictured at right with friend Morag Roy, broke down as she told Israeli supporters at Bauple of the numbness she felt as messages of death flooded from friends and family.

“It felt like the world had spun off its axis,” she said.

With the hostages on everyone’s mind she beseeched world leaders to affirm that Israel had a right to exist.

Queensland’s Jewish community and supporters of Israel were invited to gather in the rural location for event organised by Never Again Is Now, a group set up to combat anti-Semitism in Australia.

“For those of us with heart, spirit and faith in Israel, this sadness is palpable. But we have immeasurable hope too, for peace in Jerusalem, security in Israel, safety for Israelis there, and Jews all over the world,” Jennifer said ahead of the event.

“Let’s hope to defeat antisemitism and see the release of all the remaining hostages.”

Hillit Zehavi with her children (L-R) Beri 10, Roni 8 and Shaked 12 among the Pro Israel supporters at a Never Again is Now rally in Brisbane. Pic: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

The free event ran from 1.30pm to 4pm and featured live Israeli music, dancing, dance lessons, and Jewish mourners' prayer to mark the anniversary of the death of loved ones.

Pro-Israel supporters at a rally for Never Again Is Now, Australians United Against Antisemitism at the Roma Street Parklands, Brisbane. Pic: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

About 6000 Hamas terrorists breached the Israeli border, flooding the Nova Music Festival, kibbutzim, and villages on October 7.

They tortured, raped, mutilated and murdered more than 1,200 men, women and children.

More than 240 hostages were forced into captivity, held in Gazan homes and in the underground tunnels. They were taken from their homes and loved ones, and 97 are still missing.

Pro Israel supporters at a Never Again is Now rally in Brisbane. Pic: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

Since then, Israel has launched an all-out offensive in Gaza which has resulted in more than 40,000 deaths, according to the Hamas-run healthy ministry.

Israel estimates more than 17,000 of those deaths include Hamas militants.

Jennifer said what many people did not realise was that Israel has been under threat of being wiped out by Hamas and Hezbollah terrorists for years.

It is estimated more than 150,000 rockets were aimed at Israel in the northern, from Lebanon, alone with an estimated 8000 to 9000 launched.

Sydney's Martin Place where empty prams and the images of children held hostage by Hamas were displayed to show solidarity with Israel. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Monique Harmer

Tens of thousands of Israelis have had to leave their homes in the north, while in Gaza it is estimated there are close to two million Palestinians who have been displaced by Israel’s response to October 7.

Jennifer said Israel had a right to defend itself and did more to warn civilians than another other country had in history.

She said people were often seeing news on the conflict without any context as to why Israel was doing what it was doing.

“When a school is targeted by Israel it is no longer a school,’’ she said.

“Rockets and artillery are hidden in people’s homes.

“No one wants civilians injured or killed.”

She said despite international pressure against him, she believed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was doing a good job under difficult circumstances.

“I think he is doing an amazing job, I really do.”

Originally published as ‘Felt like the world had spun of its axis’: Tiny town’s big Israel rally