Labor senator Deborah O’Neill labels Israel a ‘miracle’ at embassy event in Canberra
Labor Senator Deborah O’Neill has condemned the rise of anti-Semitism, as politicians from both sides of politics paused to commemorate October 7 in Canberra.
Labor senator Deborah O’Neill has described Israel as a “miracle” and condemned the rise of anti-Semitism in Australia, as politicians from both sides of the political spectrum paused to commemorate October 7.
Speaking at a memorial ceremony at the Israeli embassy in Canberra on the anniversary of the attack which killed 1200 people, Senator O’Neill denounced the “weaponisation of rape” against women by Hamas militants and paid tribute to those killed or taken hostage.
The commemoration was attended by senior parliamentarians from both sides of the political divide, including Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Trade Minister Don Farrell, Defence Minister Richard Marles and NDIS Minister Bill Shorten, as well as senior defence and diplomatic officials.
“I am struck by how different our experience is to those living in Israel, forced to mark this day under ongoing uncertainty and threat, surrounded by those who would seek the destruction and the erasure of the state of Israel and its people,” Senator O’Neill said
Senator O’Neill, who chairs the Parliamentary Friends of Israel group, also urged Australians to be “vigilant” against anti-Semitism in all its forms.
“The state of Israel is a miracle, borne from one of the most horrific crimes against humanity that the world has ever seen,” she said.
“Her youth and progress is astounding. However, while the state is young, her people’s strength stretches for millennia, it is the Jewish nation’s resilience that will ensure its endurance.
“Jewish history is strewn with catastrophe and suffering, and it is tragic that this history has continued to be written.”
Israeli ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon told the crowd gathered in a marquee in the embassy’s garden, that the Jewish state’s war against Hamas is a battle of “good and evil” that must be won “for the sake of the free world”.
“This isn’t just another conflict, this is a battle between good and evil, between life and the forces of destruction,” Mr Maimon said.
“Yes, we are grieving. Our hearts are shattered, but our spirit remains unbroken. We will achieve our military objectives.”
In a speech wrought with emotion as he relived the days he spent in a “peaceful” Israel in the days before the attack, Mr Maimon declared his country must achieve its “military objectives”.
“Israel will not and cannot allow this war to end with us in the same place we were on October 6,” he said.
“We owe it to those we have lost and to the future we are still fighting to protect.”
Some attendees wept and held each other as video capturing the horror of the Hamas attack was played.
Other Labor MPs who attended the event to pay their respects included Mike Freelander, Raff Ciccone Rob Mitchell, Varun Ghosh and Speaker Milton Dick. Former Liberal MP and Labor Friends of Israel co-convener Mike Kelly was also present.
Among the Coalition MPs in attendance were Anne Webster, Dean Smith, opposition transport spokeswoman Bridget McKenzie, manager of opposition business Paul Fletcher, Hollie Hughes, Jonathan Duniam, Warren Entsch and Maria Kovacic.
Deputy Liberal leader Sussan Ley, opposition defence spokesman Andrew Hastie, opposition immigration spokesman Dan Tehan, opposition finance spokeswoman Jane Hume, opposition Indigenous affairs spokeswoman Jacinta Price and Nationals leader David Littleproud were also in attendance. Former prime minister Tony Abbott was also among the crowd.
Independent MP Jacqui Lambie also paid her respects, as did defence experts Michael Shoebridge and Peter Jennings.
Addressing the crowd of dignitaries, Liberal senator and former Australian ambassador to Israel Dave Sharma said an “ocean of hatred” had been unleashed on October 7.
He also condemned the rise of anti-Semitism in Australia since the attack and denounced the violence of the Hamas attack which saw families “burnt alive”, infants “slayed in their cots” and parents “executed in front of their offspring”.
“One year since that day of infamy, members of the Jewish community here in Australia have endured a level of hostility, vitriol, intimidation and aggression that they could never have imagined would emerge from their fellow citizens,” he said.
“It is a tragic failing of our nation that we – a nation that prides itself on our collective ability to welcome people of all faiths and ethnicities, to give them sanctuary from strife – have not been able to provide this most cherished part of our Australian community with the protection, safety and support it deserves at this time.”
The ceremony was punctuated with music with lyrics both in English and Hebrew, and personal testimonies from family members killed or taken hostage in the October 7 attack.
A banner emblazoned with the faces of the hostages still being held by Hamas was displayed in the embassy’s garden. Officials also said prayers for the hostages and victims, and lit candles of remembrance.
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