Melbourne Archbishop Peter Comensoli urges Jewish support as rise in anti-Semitism

Melbourne’s Archbishop has joined other faith and cultural leaders to condemn the “explosion of explicit anti-Semitism” following a recent violent clash by pro-Palestinian protesters.

Victoria’s top Christian leader has sent a powerful letter to Melbourne church leaders urging them to stand with the Jewish community against the “explosion of explicit anti-Semitism” in Australia.

Melbourne Archbishop Peter Comensoli is among several faith and cultural figures throwing their support behind Jewish Victorians after their Melbourne homeland in Caulfield was attacked on Friday night by pro-Palestinian protesters.

On Saturday, Rev Comensoli issued a letter to be read at all Catholic churches on Sunday morning.

Arch Bishop Peter Comensoli is urging church leaders to support the Jewish community. Picture: Mark Stewart

“The explosion of explicit anti-Semitism in parts of Australian society – on university campuses, in street protests, in mainstream and social media, and even among some claiming Christian belief – is shocking and deeply distressing,” he said.

“It speaks of the re-emergence of a latent distrust and culpable ignorance of the people of Jewish heritage, fuelled by deliberately fostered hatreds and loathing, and tied into dishonest agendas from extreme standpoints, both from the left and from the right.”

Archbishop Comensoli said the horror and tragedy perpetrated in Israel and Gaza did not justify the steep rise in anti-Semitism.

“The language of hatred and spite, of innuendo and slogan, is language emanating from a poisoned soul,” he said.

Makarand Bhagwat from the Hindu Council of Australia and fellow Indian community leader Jay Shah said they were standing in “unwavering solidarity” with the Jewish community against “terrorism” in anti-Semitism.

Pro-Palestinian protesters were pepper sprayed in a chaotic clash with police outside a Caulfield synagogue.

“Killing, mutilating, kidnapping, parading and torture of civilians by extreme ideologues are war crimes. We stand with the victims of terrorism,” Mr Bhagwat said.

“Hindus and Indians in Australia are in a lot of pain, watching the horror being inflicted on innocent citizens. We are mourning the death of 10 innocent Hindus who were killed in the same attack.”

He said the Hindu Council of Australia stands in solidarity “with all Israelis, with Jews around the world and with our Jewish brothers and sisters in Australia during one of the darkest hours of humanity in our lifetimes”.

Mr Shah said the Indian and Jewish community had a “shared experience” of terrorism, with many Australian-Indians now forced to reflect on their own “personal or historical connections as victims of terror when they used to live in India”.

“It has also evoked poignant memories of the brutal terror attacks that besieged Mumbai in 2008, indiscriminately claiming the lives of innocent people in bustling hubs of everyday life,” he said.

Rabbi Yaakov Glasman thanked leaders for their support “during this exceptionally challenging time”. Picture: Aaron Francis

Responding to the rise in anti-Semitism, Mr Shah said Australia’s cultural diversity “leaves no room for the seeds of racial hatred, be it anti-Semitism, Hinduphobia, or any other form of discrimination”.

“We also appeal for the safety of civilians and to ensure that humanitarian aid continues to reach Palestinian civilians,” he said.

Rabbinical Association of Australasia president Rabbi Yaakov Glasman thanked the leaders for their support “during this exceptionally challenging time”, as well as Premier Jacinta Allan on “her strong and principled stance and for her call for peaceful demonstrations”.

“There is no place for violence or hate speech in our wonderful state,” he said.