Sydney shows its support for Jewish community

Thousands of Sydneysiders have gathered to hold a vigil for Israel after the Hamas attack that one speaker described as ‘a night and a day that will stand in infamy for us’.

Members of the Jewish community gather at Sydney’s Rodney Reserve in Dover Heights. Picture: John Feder

Thousands of Sydneysiders gathered to hold a vigil for Israel on Wednesday night after the Hamas attack that one speaker described as “a night and a day that will stand in infamy for us”.

They were joined by federal and state political leaders, including NSW Premier Chris Minns, federal Health Minister Mark Butler and Peter Dutton.

Mr Minns told the gathering he was “deeply, deeply sorry” for the protest at the Sydney Opera House on Monday night, at which anti-Semitic slurs were chanted by protesters after police had told the Jewish community to stay away.

“I don’t want to live in a world where that happens, and I won’t lead a state where that is allowed to happen,” he said.

The federal Opposition Leader said: “This is not a time for equivocation. It’s a time for all of us to stand up and stand with the ­people who are facing their darkest hour.”

Organisers said security had counted more than 9000 attendees at the Rodney Reserve event in the city’s east at Dover Heights, facing out into the Pacific Ocean.

A heavy police presence, including mounted units, had blocked off the road two blocks away. A police helicopter occasionally hovered off the coast.

The young and old turned out. Picture: John Feder/The Australian.

One side of the pitch had a stage flanked by two large screen mounted on trucks. “We need to stand together, to mourn together, what has happened over the last week,” Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Jillian Segal said. “Last Friday was a night and a day that will stand in infamy for us.

“We have felt it in our bones and we all mourn together for all those lives lost, all those babies who have been slaughtered, all those people who have had their throats slit. It’s just horrific.

“Australians from all over have reached out to me personally and to other members of the community, all our politicians, all our other faith groups.

“It’s been wonderful to see the support we’ve received.”

Local resident Natalie Carr attended the vigil with friends and family. “I was born in Israel, I’ve lived in Australia for 23 years and I’ve never felt so unsafe in those 23 years,” she said.

“Monday night – the entire scene, the lack of anyone stopping it and letting it go on.

“I think there should have been teargas or something to just get it over with, get them away from the Opera House.

“I’m fearful dropping my kids at school in the morning, I’m fearful seeing how many police are needed.”

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton attended the vigil. Picture: John Feder.

She said all her nieces and nephews in Israel were in the ­Israeli military “at the front lines defending Israel”.

The event was organised by a group of Jewish community organisations. There were indications on Tuesday that a vigil would be held but organisers chose not to disclose the location until Wednesday.

Organisers told journalists to register car number plates as a ­security precaution.

Newly appointed NSW senator Maria Kovacic said she was attending because “it’s important for us to demonstrate collectively that what we’ve seen isn’t OK.”

“I’m very proud of Australia’s multicultural history and of our multicultural community and what we’ve seen in Sydney in the past few days doesn’t reflect that and we all have to call out acts of terrorism. It’s unacceptable.”

Thousands gathered for the event. Picture: NCA NewsWIRE / Monique Harmer