Jacinta Allan criticises Israeli government over humanitarian blockade in Gaza

The Premier used her keynote address at the state’s annual Israeli Independence Day celebration to criticise the Israeli government over its handling of humanitarian aid in Gaza.

Premier Jacinta Allan attends the 77th Israel Independence Day celebration in Melbourne. Picture: Mohammad Alfares

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has criticised the Netanyahu ­government in front of Jewish leaders at Israel Independence Day celebration, using her keynote address to voice concern over the ­withholding of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Speaking to a packed ballroom at Melbourne’s Sofitel Hotel on Tuesday night, Ms Allan drew a firm line between the actions of the Israeli government and the broader Jewish community, saying it was “completely and utterly unacceptable” that Australian Jews were being vilified over events abroad.

“While I don’t agree with every decision of the Israeli government, and I don’t agree with the withholding of aid to Gaza … we must all remember this fact … the government of Israel is not the same thing as the nation of Israel and the people of Israel,” Ms Allan said. “The government of Israel is also not the same thing as the Jewish community here in Victoria. And it distresses me that some are unable to recognise this distinction.”

Ms Allan used her address – delivered at an event to mark the 77th anniversary of Israel’s independence – to denounce the rise of anti-Semitism in Victoria since the October 7 Hamas massacre, describing how Jewish children, artists, rabbis and families had been “bullied, vilified and hurt” in recent months.

“Some have seen their own lives flash before their eyes,” she said. “It’s completely and utterly unacceptable. I stand with Victorian Jews in the face of racism and anti-Semitism.”

Premier Allan greets a man at the event. Picture: Mohammad Alfares

Ms Allan revived the traditional champagne toast to Israel, a year after her government sparked a backlash for scrapping the gesture. During last year’s event, Jewish leaders were left fuming when Ms Allan did not propose the toast. At the time, the Premier’s office contacted Jewish organisers of the function to request that the champagne toast to Israel be left off the running sheet for the program. The Premier’s office had believed such a toast would be inappropriate given high community passions surrounding Israel’s war on Hamas in Gaza.

The Premier on Tuesday night announced more than $290,000 in new funding for Jewish community organisations, including the Rabbinical Council of Victoria, mental health outreach services, and the Melbourne Holocaust Museum.

Opposition Leader Brad Battin used his speech to underscore the importance of bipartisan support for the Jewish community. “It’s great when we see the bipartisanship at events like this and how important that is,” Mr Battin said. “Our Jewish community is fundamental to Victoria’s diversity and harmony. And I am proud to stand here tonight – as are all my colleagues – in support of Israel and against the rising tide of hate.”

That sentiment was echoed by Zionist Federation of Australia president Jeremy Leibler, who welcomed the cross-party unity on display. “I believe that bipartisan support for the Jewish community, social cohesion, and our democratic ally Israel has always been a source of national strength,” Mr Lebler said.

He said Victoria could be a model for “principled, values-­driven bipartisanship,” and urged political leaders to maintain moral clarity in the face of increasing hostility. “There is no genocide in Gaza,” he said. “War is devastating. And our humanity requires us to recognise the pain and suffering of innocent Palestinians in Gaza.”