Mark Dreyfus to address Israeli counter-terror summit on October 7 anniversary

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus will represent the government on the anniversary of Hamas’ terrorist attack, as Australia’s Jewish community warns ‘depraved’ protesters to stay away from local vigils.

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus is planning to represent Australia in Israel for the anniversary of the October 7 terrorist attacks. Picture: Tamati Smith/NewsWire

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus will represent the government in Israel on the anniversary of Hamas’s October 7 terror attack, as Australia’s Jewish community warns “depraved” protesters to stay away from local vigils.

Mr Dreyfus, Labor’s most senior Jewish MP, is scheduled to ­attend a major counter-terrorism summit at Israel’s Reichman University from October 6-8, delivering a keynote address.

Scott Morrison will also address the Shabtai Shavit summit, and ­Coalition frontbenchers Andrew Hastie and Claire Chandler will attend memorial services.

Mr Dreyfus was asked to attend the summit by Anthony Albanese but the Attorney-General’s office cautioned the trip would be dependent on updated security advice amid escalating hostilities between Israel and Lebanese-based Hezbollah militants.

The Jewish community in Australia is planning memorial events across the country on October 7, and a candle-lighting ceremony in Sydney the night before. Details of the events are tightly held amid fears pro-Palestine groups will seek to disrupt them.

Anti-Israel groups are planning national rallies this Sunday, with a “Protest 365 days of genocide” march scheduled for October 6 in Sydney.

A flyer for a planned anti-Israel protest on October 6, 2024

Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said the plans gave an insight “into the depraved mindset of the pro-Palestine movement”.

“These people responded to the invasion of Israel by a hybrid force of terrorists and Gazan civilians, and the slaughter, torture, plunder and abduction of every Jew they could find, with unbridled jubilation,” he said.

“Only those with no humanity and no decency could react to atrocities in such a way.

“This past year has been the most challenging in the history of our community, and any attempts to desecrate any ceremony where we honour our dead and call for the release of those still alive would be utterly shameful.”

His comments came after hundreds of protesters draped in Lebanese flags and Palestinian scarves chanted their support for the Iranian-backed Hezbollah ­terrorist group outside Sydney Town Hall on Tuesday night. The Australian Palestinian Advocacy Network, which backs coming ­rallies, declined to comment.

Hundreds of Hezbollah supporters protesting outside of town hall Sydney. pic.twitter.com/4c6kpOFZ9P

— Rami (@OziRami) September 24, 2024

The government is expected to mark the anniversary in a low-key manner amid deep community divisions over Israel, its war in Gaza, and its attacks on Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.

Jewish community groups said it was unclear whether the Prime Minister was scheduled to attend one of the planned memorial services, while Mr Albanese’s office declined to comment.

Peter Dutton and Liberal frontbencher Julian Leeser will attend the main Sydney service on the Monday organised by the NSW Jewish board of deputies and the Zionist Council of NSW.

Israel’s ambassador to Australia, Amir Maimon, will also host a memorial service in Canberra.

Days out from the anniversary, Israeli air defence systems intercepted a Hezbollah missile fired at Tel Aviv in what’s believed to be the group’s furthest attack yet into Israeli territory.

Hezbollah said it fired a ballistic missile at the headquarters of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency in retaliation for its targeting of the group’s senior leaders.

Rockets fired from southern Lebanon are intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome air defence system over Haifa, in northern Israel. Picture: AFP

The two sides are now on the brink of all-out war after Israel responded to ongoing rocket attacks by the terrorist group by triggering booby-trapped pagers and walkie talkies, and then launching punishing air strikes that Lebanese authorities say have killed more than 560 people.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong warned Lebanon “cannot become the next Gaza”, intensifying her criticism of Israel’s attacks on its neighbour. “Civilians are being killed by Israeli strikes and it is women and children who are paying the highest price,” she said from New York where she is attending the UN General Assembly. “The global community is clear; this destructive cycle must stop,” she said. “What has happened in recent days only makes an immediate ceasefire in Gaza even more urgent.

“Lebanon cannot become the next Gaza. And the violence in Gaza must end. Hostages must be released and aid must flow.”

Senator Wong reiterated the government’s calls for an estimated 15,000 Australians in Lebanon to leave urgently. “Please do not wait for a preferred route, take the first opportunity,” she said.

Israel’s UN ambassador Danny Danon said the country was open to ideas for de-escalating the conflict in Lebanon.

“We are not eager to start any ground invasion anywhere … We prefer a diplomatic solution.”