‘If you want to support Hamas, then get them to pay your bills’

Former premier Daniel Andrews has warned Jewish philanthropists to review all funds they deliver to individuals and groups and “defund” those that refuse to call out antisemitism.

Daniel Andrews making a speech at the Temple Beth Israel synagogue earlier this year. Picture: Carly Douglas

Daniel Andrews has called for major Jewish donors to “defund” any groups that refuse to call out antisemitism in a powerful speech to community, political and business leaders.

The former premier has warned Jewish philanthropists to “review” all funds they deliver to individuals and groups and weed out any “pretend friends”.

Mr Andrews was speaking at a Zionist Federation of Australia event on Sunday night where he was awarded the Jerusalem Medal for his commitment to strengthening and protecting Victoria’s Jewish community.

The former Labor leader, a longtime supporter of Israel, asked donors in the room to “review your giving”.

“Check and check again that those who so happily benefit from your generosity are not, in real terms, pretend friends or worse, actually working against the Jewish community and decency itself,” he said.

“If people won’t speak out against anti semitism, defund them.”

“If people are happy, in fact, to take your money while being anti Semites, defund them,” he said.

“If you want to support Hamas, then get them to pay your bills. Get them to fund your programs and build your buildings.”

The comments come amid rising hatred towards the Jewish community following Hamas’ October 7 terror attack and Israel’s subsequent bombardment of Gaza.

Mr Andrews advised that any funding agreements or contracts should include “the willingness to stand against anti semitism”.

“Part of the bargain, if you like, ought to be that you don’t go missing when evil takes hold,” he said.

“Moreover, you don’t promote and promulgate anti-Jewish sentiment or amateur hour, barely undergraduate, level foreign and strategic policy analysis, much less hate and prejudice.”

ZFA President Jeremy Leibler thanked Mr Andrews for being a “true and constant friend” to the Jewish community.

“There may be some Victorians in the room tonight who did not agree with policy of the Andrews Government, but we are united in recognising and honouring him as a model for leadership,” he said.

“A leader with an unfailing moral compass, akin to that of past recipients of the prestigious Jerusalem Prize – Bob Hawke, Julia Gillard, John Howard and Scott Morrison.”