Holocaust survivor Andrew Steiner challenges MPs over anti-Semitism and ‘demonising’ Israel

A decorated Adelaide educator has challenged MPs about rising anti-Semitism, revealing some “very excellent friends” no longer shake his hand.

A decorated Holocaust survivor has warned hatred of Jews is being fuelled by Australia’s policy of “demonising” Israel, telling state MPs some old friends now were refusing to shake his hand.

Andrew Steiner, 91, who lost 12 members of his extended family in the Nazi genocide, used an Old Parliament House address to 15 MPs to challenge them to combat rising anti-Semitism.

The Adelaide Holocaust Museum founder and artist urged against caving into demands of activists fomenting bigotry, highlighting protesters invading universities and scaling the roof of Canberra’s parliament.

Asked by independent MLC Frank Pangallo if Australian government policy, including Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong endorsing a UN vote for Palestinian statehood, was fuelling anti-Semitism, Mr Steiner said: “I think you’re right in suggesting this, because it’s another encouragement, it’s another demonising Israel.”

Holocaust survivor Andrew Steiner addresses an SA Parliamentary Friends of Israel event at Old Parliament House. Picture Emma Brasier

Speaking to the SA Parliamentary Friends of Israel on Thursday afternoon, Mr Steiner urged the federal government to enact much stronger legislation to combat the ominous rise in anti-Semitism that he likened to the rise of Nazism in the 1930s.

“We know from the ‘30s that appeasement is only putting off the inevitable consequences and we cannot afford to be reacting to all these horrible acts,” he said.

“ … Another appeasement. So, if that’s the trend, that becomes the norm. What is there to prevent these evils?”

Mr Steiner, who in 2017 was honoured with an Order of Australia for his contribution to art and history, challenged state MPs including Treasurer Stephen Mullighan and deputy Liberal leader John Gardner not to turn a blind eye to increasing anti-Semitism in Australia.

“If you feel that something is unacceptable, something is unjust, something that you would not wish could happen to you or your family, then it’s time to be an upstander, not a bystander,” he said.

“Some people no longer shake hands with me. Some people whom I thought were very excellent friends, no longer seem to recognise me.

“I know I’m getting older, but I haven’t changed that much. So that’s the reality. It’s not easy, by any means. But, then again, we live with our conscience and principles.”

By contrast, Mr Steiner said he could not overemphasise the importance of “absolute equality and sanctity, dignity and appreciation of human life”.

Andrew Steiner at the Adelaide Holocaust Museum in 2020. Picture Emma Brasier

The Holocaust Museum, which has an education centre named after Mr Steiner, was launched in 2020 to educate and inspire South Australians “to stand up against anti-Semitism and racism, and actively contribute to a fairer, just and more compassionate world”.

Mr Steiner was born in Budapest in 1933. After the Nazis occupied Hungary in 1944, he spent most of his childhood either in hiding with false papers, or in a Yellow Star House (compulsory homes for Jewish people).

He was lined up for execution by a Nazi death squad in 1944 and labelled a “dirty Jew” before emigrating to Australia in 1948.

Originally published as Holocaust survivor Andrew Steiner challenges MPs over anti-Semitism and ‘demonising’ Israel