Jewish community pays for weak leadership against violence

One of the many failures of Anthony Albanese has been his continued inability to read the room, wrapped up as he is in the bubble of Canberra and a work life steeped in politics and public service, which is not where the real world lives.

He is always two steps behind, catching up only when he realises the optics. The latest example is his obvious reluctance to label the Melbourne synagogue burning a terror attack until everyone else has done so – following, not leading. I am so very disappointed with his leadership in these stressful times. On his watch we have seen the explosion of anti-Semitism; Jewish schools and businesses have been vandalised; Jewish people are spat at and Jewish artists have their personal details released by fellow artists; university campuses have become unsafe spaces for Jewish students and lecturers; pro-Palestinian supporters chant hateful slogans with seeming impunity and certain imams freely practise hate speech in mosques, and no one appears to be held accountable; and Australia has been labelled an unsafe place for Jews.

Australia needs a person of substance to lead this nation; sadly, Albanese is not that person.

Caroline Thomson, Kew, Vic

The days of shame of the Australian Labor government and the Greens continue to accumulate.

The Prime Minister’s failure to respond to the October 7, 2023, brutal massacre, rapes and atrocities by Hamas Palestinian terrorists was not a fitting reaction from Australia’s leader.

His failures have multiplied as atrocities in Australia have multiplied. Claire Lehmann highlights the terrible impacts these have had on Australian Jews (“Hate comes for Jews, but some leaders stay silent”, 10/12).

Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s craven acceptance of wrong International Criminal Court charges against Israel’s democratically elected leaders has failed Australian values of standing firm with those under unjustifiable attacks. The Greens walking out of parliament on November 6, 2023, rather than condemning Hamas, a terrorist organisation, is a low point in recent Australian politics.

Many other days of sadness and shame have followed. To our Jewish Australian friends, we say sorry; we are ashamed of the way Australian political parties and the government have failed them.

Lee Smith, Kenmore, Qld

Anti-Semitism has reached its frightening level in Australia because of the total absence of firm authority of law enforcement from the October 9, 2023, near-riot at the Sydney Opera House onwards. In what amounts to appeasement, noisy and disruptive anti-Israeli protests, under the guise of Palestinian support, as well as hate speech have been tolerated everywhere as police acted more as monitors than upholders of law and order.

Peter Winzar, Palm Beach, Qld

A heartfelt thankyou to NSW Premier Chris Minns and NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb for demonstrating a return to Australian values and action to protect all people, regardless of their background.

There has been no strength of purpose or stomach for action from Canberra. So many have built this country because of shared identity and belief in freedom. Thank you, Mr Minns, for adjusting the compass to a free and safe Australia.

Robyn Freckelton, Villeneuve, Qld

Anthony Albanese’s response to the terrorists’ shocking acts in Australia over the past few weeks, culminating in the burning of a synagogue in Melbourne last Friday, show that he is really out of his depth.

How does he show support for the Jewish community? By giving money for the protection of synagogues, schools and community places. Is this what we really want? Protection against violence and hate when it occurs? What we want is action to prevent these events from ever happening. How many arrests have we had? Will anyone be charged? So far they have got away with violence.

Carol Sharbanee, Crawley, WA

I am disgusted that it has taken an atrocious attack on a Jewish house of prayer for Anthony Albanese to begin to exhibit some leadership in the struggle against anti-Semitism. The prevarication of his government has made our wonderful country the subject of a travel warning. How shameful.

Stephen Phillips, Ridgewood, WA