Sydney’s household names say it’s time for anti-Semitism to stop

Sydney’s biggest names have united to take a stand against the scourge of hatred towards Jewish people, denouncing anti-Semitism as un-Australian and sounding the warning bell that it is accelerating the nation’s moral decay. Here are their pleas.

Sydney’s biggest names have united to take a stand against the scourge of hatred towards Jewish people, denouncing anti-Semitism as un-Australian and sounding the warning bell that it is accelerating the nation’s moral decay.

Entertainment and sporting figures, TV and radio personalities, politicians and business leaders have come together to call on the government and police to take a stand and reverse the tide of anti-Semitism.

Here are their pleas:

KAREN WEBB- NSW POLICE COMMISSIONER

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb. Picture: Rohan Kelly

Targeting of any person because of their race or ethnicity is abhorrent and it has no place in our society.”

“Hate crimes are very serious matters. We will investigate them as a priority and to the full extent of the law in NSW.

“I want to be clear that it is the actions of a small group of people that threaten this cohesion and police just won’t tolerate it. I’d like to appeal to victims to please come forward.”

TONY ABBOTT- FORMER LIBERAL PARTY PRIME MINISTER

Former Prime Minister, the Hon Tony Abbott, at Parliament House in Canberra on October 7, 2024. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

What we call anti-Semitism is probably better termed racism against Jews, and like all other forms of racism it’s simply abhorrent,” he said.

“Frankly, it needs to be stamped out. Many of its manifestations were plainly illegal like the encampments at universities plus some of the disruptive and intimidatory marches.

“As for the government’s changed position on Israel at the UN, that’s effectively a reward for terrorism.”

JEFF FENECH- AUSTRALIAN BOXING GREAT

Jeff Fenech at home in Five Dock. Picture: Daily Telegraph/ Monique Harmer

“Any violence should be stopped or any attacks on religion or people’s lives because of race.

“We must live together in Australia which is what has made it such a great country.

“It upsets me to see the generational hate that is spreading across Australia. What happened in 1930s Germany should stay there.

“I’m just an ordinary guy that wants to see people live side-by-side peacefully. I have three children but I fear them having children in Australia with what’s going on now.

“If people want violence, I say, ‘go and watch two men fight in a boxing ring.’

“Stop hurting people now. Enough is enough.”

MICHAEL MILLER - NEWS CORP AUSTRALASIA EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN

Michael Miller Executive Chairman News Corp Australasia. Picture: Liam Kidston

News Corp Australasia’s executive chairman Michael Miller called for a “zero tolerance” approach to anti-Semitism saying it was “profoundly out of step with Australian values.”

“Zero tolerance, education and a willingness to speak up and expose anti-Semitism wherever and whenever it occurs are key to a better Australia.”

KERRI-ANNE KENNERLEY - TELEVISION PRESENTER

Kerri-Anne Kennerley pictured at her home in Sydney. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“I am lucky to have just had two weeks in New York City and was distressed at a meeting to be told point blank by a Jewish woman that she will never come to Australia because we are anti-Semitic!,” said Kerri Anne-Kennerley.

“I was shocked and tried valiantly to dissuade her from this horrible judgement.

“I said, ‘but it’s not who we are, really!

“Is it who we are becoming?

“This opinion is out there and circling the world. Our colonial beginnings were people who were downtrodden, poor, forced to go to the ends of the earth ... they created ‘a fair go’... wWe can’t afford to let it slide through inaction or not standing for and with those who need support.

“Terrorism and illegal activity should be called out.

“Call it out for what it is … it is wrong and it is illegal. Enough is enough.”

WARREN MUNDINE - INDIGENOUS LEADER

Warren Mundine in the Domain in Sydney. Picture: Adam Yip

Mr Mundine blamed the government’s, police and authorities’ “failure” to act sooner for the rise in hate crime.

“This should’ve been nipped in the bud from day one. After the horror and savagery of October 7, and the actions on the steps of the Opera house on October 9, the anti-Semitism chant sung by a group of people about the Jews horrified me. The way the police stood by and watched and did nothing was disgusting. The police and government have failed. You cannot let one incidence of anti-Semitism go no matter how small. Jewish people are living in fear. And that’s the fault of our government.”

RAY HADLEY - RETIRED RADIOMAN

Ray Hadley pictured in the 2GB studios before his retirement. Picture: Rohan Kelly

Former broadcaster Ray Hadley said in his 40 years of broadcasting, he has “never” witnessed anything like the way the Jewish community has been treated.

“It is abhorrent,” he said.

“We’ve heard words from the Prime Minister who thinks he has stopped it but his actions show he hasn’t.

“The way he voted at the UN shows that the government is sympathetic of a terrorist organisation. The Prime Minister is as weak as water.”

PAUL WHITTAKER - SKY NEWS AUSTRALIA CEO

Sky News chief executive officer Paul Whittaker. Picture: John Feder

“We must take lessons from history and not let this prejudice and hatred go unchallenged. We all have a responsibility to call out anti-Semitism for what it is and demand that our leaders, of all political persuasions, do the same.

“We must all speak out against anti-Semitism and raise awareness of the significant issues facing the Australian Jewish community.”

ALEX PERRY - FASHION DESIGNER

Alex Perry.

Perry denounced the latest wave of race crime “appalling” and called for tolerance.

“I was brought up in a Greek family where people tolerated us, we were accepted by old school Aussie country types who embraced us,” he said.

“We were raised to accept and live beside other cultures. Australia is made up of people from a wealth of different nationalities and I have never seen racism on the streets of Australia quite like the level experienced by Jews today and that is frankly abominable and appalling.

“I have Persian, Arabic, Jewish friends. We suffered discrimination at school because we were of Greek descent but Australia is largely tolerant.

“What’s going on very un-Australian and must stop. We must continue to learn to live with other.”

GRAHAM RICHARDSON - FORMER LABOR PARTY POLITICIAN AND COMMENTATOR

Graham Richardson. Picture: Ryan Osland

“A rise in anti-Semitic behaviour has no place in today’s society - nor should it,” said Mr Richardson, who lives in the predominately Jewish suburb of Dover Heights.

“One of my best friend’s wife was in a concentration camp and I saw the effect that it has had on her whole life. We must never forget that all Australians, whether they were born here, or have come from other nations, must all work together to stamp out this appalling prejudice against Jewish people.

“It is not just a Jewish problem it is an Australian problem. If you allow a cancer to grow in one part of society it will spread,” he said.

Originally published as Sydney’s household names say it’s time for anti-Semitism to stop