Time our politicians showed some courage on anti-Semitism

As the Executive Council of Australian Jewry correctly points out, anti-Semitism in Australia is now mainstream, widespread and rampant (“ ‘We’re not going to wait’: Jewish leaders threaten action against hate mongers”, 8/1). Largely driven by Islamic hostility to Israel and Jews, it is no longer spoken about in hushed tones.

Many academic institutions and their staff, local councils, unions, the arts communities and woke corporations and sporting bodies have eagerly joined the onslaught.

The fact the Australian Jewish community has no option other than to consider legal action speaks volumes about the lack of leadership from our elected officials.

All we have heard from our federal government is commentary.

Of course anti-Semitism is unacceptable in this country in 2024, but what is the Prime Minister doing about it? The state governments have been equally impotent. Time and again, the incitement of hatred against Jews by Islamic preachers is ignored, with the police unmotivated to take any action by exercising their powers under the law.

Turning a blind eye to the vitriolic protests and hostility does nothing to endear our governments to the Jewish electorate.

The open secret, of course, is that Labor governments are trying to appear supportive to Jewish Australians while also keeping an eye on the demographics of their voter base. I have news for you: it’s not working for us.

Alan Freedman, St Kilda East, Vic

More important than laws dealing with outrageous comments about Jews, or any other group, should be an instant thunderous denunciation by political leaders, especially the Prime Minister and the premiers. Prosecutions and trials take time and cost money, and justice is not always seen to be done. Denunciation just needs a bit of courage. There is, of course, plenty of courage manifested every day in society at large, but political courage is another matter.

Too few politicians like to make “courageous decisions” that could lose them votes, but you never know – standing up for what is right in this case just may be a vote winner. The number of people who actually support extreme vilification in their hearts must be very small.

David Morrison, Springwood, NSW

Peter Wertheim rightly asks why the onus of defending the Jewish community from racial vilification falls on the community itself (“Politicians have failed to grasp ‘new reality’ of anti-Semitism”, 8/1). Why does solidarity demonstrated to Indigen ous, women’s rights and LGBTI groups not extend to this vulnerable community? The public abrogation of speaking up is even starker when considering the historically significant role of Jews in advocating for minority civil rights in Australia and the US.

Jewish activists played a prominent role in the 1967 referendum in Australia and constituted 30 per cent of the volunteers who rode freedom buses to the American south. The Australian Jewish community deserves far better.

Galya Kay, Bondi Junction, NSW

History has proven again and again that Jews have to stand up for themselves and cannot rely on others to do so. Certainly not the current federal and state governments in Australia. In 1930s Europe, nobody put their hand up for the Jews. The result was catastrophic.

Since then, Jews have stood up for themselves and will continue to do so.

In taking legal action against these monstrous sermons and the men who speak them, the Executive Council of Australian Jewry is not only protecting the Jewish community but all minorities in Australia. Imagine the uproar if such opinions were voiced against Muslims, First Nations people, the Sikh community or others.

Ruth Franklin, St Ives, NSW