MEMBER for Mallee Anne Webster has accused Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of showing “weak” leadership on anti-Semitism following the terror attack on a Melbourne synagogue last week.
Dr Webster said a member of the Jewish community in the Mallee wrote to her concerned about community safety.
The constituent wrote to Dr Webster on Monday, responding to fellow Jewish Mallee residents’ recent safety concerns before Friday’s events.
“I initially thought their apprehension might have been a little unfounded, but the arson attack on the Synagogue in Melbourne indicates that their fears are justified,” they wrote.
Dr Webster said she was ashamed a global travel warning had been issued to Jewish people warning about the danger in visiting Australia.
United-States based global Jewish human rights organisation the Simon Wiesenthal Centre issued a travel warning to Jewish people around the world, citing “the failure of Australian authorities to stand up against persistent demonization, harassment and violence against Jews and Jewish institutions in Australia”.
“I am also dismayed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tweeted on Friday his anger at the synagogue attack and the ‘extreme anti-Israeli position of the Labor government in Australia’,” Dr Webster said.
“Mr Albanese has shown weak leadership on anti-Semitism.
“He did not immediately visit the Adass Israel Synagogue at Ripponlea nor did he swiftly condemn the firebombing as a terrorist attack.
“The Albanese Government’s initial response to demonstrations – supporting the October 7, 2023 Hamas terror attacks – on the steps of the Sydney Opera House was completely and utterly inadequate.
“Further protests went on for many months at our university campuses demonstrating hatred – not just towards students – but academics and other visiting fellows.
“The discrimination and blatant racism that we’ve seen against people of Jewish faith and heritage has been obvious on a daily basis.”
Dr Webster said Jewish people in the Mallee now fear for their safety.
“It is an indictment on our society and education system that anti-Semitism did not end at the Holocaust, and we must now be deliberate in our efforts to stamp it out,” Dr Webster said.
Visiting the synagogue on Tuesday, Mr Albanese said he was proud to stand with Adass Israel.
“This arson attack is an act of terrorism,” he said.
“It was fuelled by anti-Semitism and it was stoked by hatred.
“We’re a country that needs to come together and unite.
“One of the things that we spoke about inside with the community leaders was the fact that people have come to Australia because we are a country that is peaceful.
“We are a country that respect people of different faith and are enriched by our diversity here.”
