Editorial: Shocking display against Brisbane Jews shames us

A failure to separate the actions of the Israeli military from the lives of everyday Australian Jews is responsible for the wave of anti-Semitism sweeping Australia, writes the editor.

Pro-Palestinian protesters at The Wickham

For Jews, the Shavuot holiday is very special. Traditionally marking the wheat harvest in biblical times, it is also coincides with the date that the faithful believe Moses revealed the 10 commandments to the Israelites. There are many ways to observe the holiday, but the partaking of meals and being “in a state of joy” is most common.

For younger people, that means a dance party. And that is what members of Brisbane’s Jewish community had in mind when they booked a private room at The Wickham in Fortitude Valley on Saturday night.

They, of course, realise that tensions have been high in some parts of the community since the shocking Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and the IDF’s brutal, ongoing operation in Gaza that followed. That’s why they booked a private room.

It is difficult to believe what happened next could take place in modern Australia, but it did.

Dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside on Wickham St, chanting and screaming at them.

“I had people, you know, five inches from my face, shouting that I was a baby killer, and I should be ashamed of myself and that all Zionists are terrorists, etc, and all I was trying to do was go to a Jewish function to celebrate a festival that happened to be a dance party,” one attendee said.

Former Greens councillor and lord mayoral candidate Jonathan Sri last night said the protest was organised by workers at The Wickham.

‘I think we have a responsibility to protest against the genocide in Gaza and use our voices on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of people killed during this war,” he said.

He appeared at the protest on livestream where he called the party a “Zionist event”, however it is not suggested he engaged in any of the acts claimed above.

“I think it’s kind of cool that people have mobilised at short notice to Zionism on the streets of Brisbane. They are not causing any real disruption, they are just out here voicing their opposition to Zionism and The Wickham’s decision (to host the event),” Mr Sri said in a video he filmed outside of the Wickham, while the protesters chanted “from the river to the sea” behind him.

There is so much to call out here.

That “river to the sea” chant, let’s not forget, calls for the annihilation of the state of Israel.

The Jewish attendees were not “on the streets”. They were in a private function.

The “Zionist event” could probably best be compared with a Christmas party. Religious in origin but secular in practice. It is this failure to separate the actions of the Israeli military from the lives of everyday Australian Jews that is responsible for the wave of anti-Semitism that is sweeping Australia.

And it is disgraceful for Mr Sri or anyone else to fail to see that distinction, and to feel they can hold anyone of the Jewish faith accountable for the actions of Israel. Premier David Crisafulli probably put it best yesterday when he said: “I want multicultural groups to be able to celebrate what makes them special, and to be able to be a part of the state.”

TRIUMPH TO SPUR RIVAL

We all knew a young Aussie sprinter was poised to break the magical 10-second barrier – it’s just that most people didn’t think it was going to be Lachlan Kennedy.

The 21-year-old from Brisbane stunned the athletics world on the weekend, winning an event in Nairobi, Kenya, in the sizzling time of 9.98 seconds – into a slight headwind, no less.

Fans have been captivated over the past year by the exploits of teenage sensation Gout Gout, who has broken 10 seconds twice with an illegal tailwind.

Most thought it was just a matter of time before Gout joined Patrick Johnson – another Queenslander – as the only Aussie sprinters to go sub-10.

But it was Kennedy who is first to the mark, and we can only hope they continue to keep pushing each other to even greater heights.

And while many good judges have been raving about Gout’s undoubted potential, it seems Kennedy has only scratched the surface of what he is capable of.

“I didn’t think a 9 was realistic until a couple of years ago,” he said. “When I was still playing rugby but starting to train and realising I had some speed, I made it the goal.”

Gout will take his friend’s achievement with good grace, but it will undoubtedly drive him. We feel sure that he will join the sub-10 club shortly. And Kennedy will set new goals.

Sport is littered with rivalries that drove athletes to greater heights. Would Roger Federer have pushed so hard for so long if not for the thrill of competing against Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic? Probably not.

It is going to be so much fun watching Kennedy and Gout race against each other. Let’s hope it lasts up to, and beyond, 2032.

Responsibility for election comment is taken by Chris Jones, corner of Mayne Rd & Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Printed and published by NEWSQUEENSLAND (ACN 009 661 778). Contact details here

Originally published as Editorial: Shocking display against Brisbane Jews shames us