Thousands join rally in Martin Place to end anti-Semitism in Sydney
Peaceful protesters have whooped and cheered as politicians and prominent members of the Jewish community protest “enough is enough” at a rally in Martin Place.
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Thousands of protesters brandishing The Star of David, the Australian and Iranian flags and waving placards bearing the words “Albo the World is Watching,” descended on Martin Place united in the call to end the anti-Semitism that has been gripping the country since October 7.
As Men at Work’s Down Under blared from the loud speakers, peaceful protesters whooped and cheered as politicians and prominent members of the Jewish community protest “enough is enough” at the scene of the Lindt Cafe siege where terror struck almost exactly 10 years ago on December 15.
Joined in the single call for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to take a zero tolerance approach to anti-Semitism more than 400 rally-goers heard Hagit Ashual, of the Together With Israel group, declare Australia at a “tipping point”.
It comes after two violent anti-Semitic attacks in the predominantly Jewish Sydney quarter of Woollahra and the torching of a Melbourne synagogue several weeks ago.
“Terrorism lives among us and can even impact peaceful societies like ours here in Australia, we are here because we have reached a tipping point as resilient people,” she told the mass, many donning kippahs, camped on the steps of the civic heart of Sydney.
“We are taught to be patient. We have been patiently waiting for 14 months for our government to take action. The time for patience has passed.
“We are here to demand that our government take strong measures to stop anti-Semitism and bring back peace to our streets.
“How many synagogues like Adass in Melbourne need to be burned down for the government to understand the severity of these threats?
“We live in a democratic society, and we cherish that, but I must ask, how is it acceptable that week after week for over a year, aggressive and violent demonstrations have taken over our cities?
“Hundreds of police officers are needed at these rallies to keep the peace. This is at a massive cost to the Australian taxpayer. This amounts to millions of community dollars that should be used for good and peaceful purposes.
“These hate filled rallies are hijacking our cities and bringing our transport system to a halt,” she said.
“They even shut down the annual Myer Christmas window display, which has been an iconic celebration of Christmas in Melbourne since 1956 that is 68 years of tradition gone scrapped by radical hatred.
“It is evident now that the hate directed towards the Jewish people also intimidates Australian businesses and the wider Australian community.”
Speaking directly to Prime Minister Albanese, she went on: “We need you to take action.
“We need you to take a no tolerance approach to anti-Semitism, hatred and violent speech in our streets…that time to act is now.”
Watching silently with sad eyes in the audience was Sydneysider Zack Shachar, 48, whose relative Naama Levi, 19, was abducted from the IDF surveillance base at Nahal Oz near the Gaza–Israel barrier during the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7.
Later that day, Hamas released footage on social media showing Levy in the Gaza Strip with her hands shackled behind her, being dragged by armed militants from the trunk of a Jeep and forced inside the car.
The footage that went viral showed her with matted hair and bloodstained jogging bottoms prompting speculation that she had been sexually abused.
“Just bring her back, we want her and the other hostages unconditionally released,” said Mr Shachar, from The North Shore.
“It’s been 436 days since October 7 but I believe Naama is still alive.
“When the first hostages were released, they said Naama had told them she had spent 50 days in isolation.
“Then in March the IDF said there was ‘a sign if life’ that Naama was still alive and being kept hostage. Bring her back, her family wants her back,” he said quietly.
Protesters, some with placards with the words “Penny Wrong,” and “action against Anti Semitism” cheered as speakers accused Albanese of doing too little too late, fuelling anti Semitism on the streets of Australia.
Rabbi Benjamin Elton of the Great Synagogue said “In the last year since the terrible, horrific events of October the seventh, my synagogue has faced demonstrations almost every weekend.
“We’ve had lockdowns. We’ve had to shorten our services. We’ve had to cancel celebrations of our freedom to be Jews, to be peaceful followers of our faith and our traditions have been trampled on by these demonstrations through the centre of our city.
“We ask that places of worship, including the Great Synagogue and all other synagogues, are made safe because what we’ve seen in the last couple of weeks is that violence in Woollahra and destruction on our streets of a Jewish suburban area leads to the torching of a synagogue, and who knows what is going to happen next?” he said.
“We’re at a tipping point. This is no longer a threat. This is a reality in Australia in 2024 they’re burning down synagogues, and now we have to say, enough is enough,” he said.
Businessman Michael Easson announced himself as “not Jewish, I’m Catholic.”
“But I understand a little bit about what many people here have been going through in the last 14 months, because a year ago, one of my daughters, Amanda, was here in Martin Place,” he said.
“She was at a rally in support of Israel, and she later put a message on Facebook and on Instagram saying, ‘I stand with Israel,’ he said.
“A number of friends unfriended her, and several people wrote to her, saying, you’ve got children, haven’t you? I hope they die like people in Gaza. She was hurt by that.
“I said to her, imagine how it feels to be Jewish in this country, especially over the last 14 months.”
He added: “The struggle we’re all involved in is not only about Israel and the Jewish people, it’s also about Australia.
“It bewilders me when I hear Jewish Australians asking each other, how long have we got before we need to leave this country?”
In tears, Liberal Lebanese-Christian councillor for Hunters Hill Carol Tannous-Sleiman told how she gets asked “which side are you on?’ because she is Arab.
“That’s something I’ve never seen before in Australia,” she said.
“I’m not Jewish, I’m an Australian with a very proud Lebanese Christian Maronite heritage.
“When my dad arrived here 40 years ago, he kissed the ground and said ‘this is my country.’
“The disgraceful undertones in Australia have evolved progressively over the last 14 months.
“From the prime minister to the foreign minister your lack of action is a disgrace. These are not just attacks on Jews but an attack on Australian mateship,” she said to rapturous applause.
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