‘Alarmed’: 600 Australian Leaders Sign Pledge Against Anti-Semitism

Protesters gather at Flinders Street Station on Nov. 23, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia, organised by School Students For Palestine. Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

Business, political, and sporting leaders have signed a pledge saying No to anti-Semitism in Australia amid a 482 percent rise in incidents.

The leaders said they were alarmed at the “offensive language, vandalism, and harassment” at universities, on Australian streets, as well as at landmarks including the Opera House, Flinders Street Station, and Parliament.

Terrorist group Hamas launched an attack on Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and kidnapping hostages, including women and children.

Anti-semitism concerns have been aired recently, amid pro-Palestinian protests that call for the destruction of Israel via chants such as, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”

Recent former state Premiers Gladys Berejiklian, Daniel Andrews, Steven Marshall, Mark McGowan, and Dominic Perrottet were among the signatories of the letter.

High-profile former federal ministers including Josh Frydenberg, Christopher Pyne, Alexander Downer, Marise Payne, and Kim Beazley have also signed.

“All Australians are entitled to be treated with respect, free from offensive, hostile and intimidating behaviour,” the letter stated.

It added, “We stand against anti-semitism, Islamophobia, and any form of racism in our workplaces, hiring practices, and business dealings.”

Business leaders who signed the pledge include the Chair of the Seven Network media group Kerry Stokes, CEO of the Australian Football League Gillon McLachlan, transport mogul Lindsay Fox, former Woolworths CEO Roger Corbett, and packaging king Anthony Pratt.

“To our Jewish employees, business partners, customers, and all who are affected, we acknowledge the heightened feelings of threat being felt by your community right now and affirm your right to physical and psychological safety,” the pledge says.

“All Australians are entitled to be treated with respect, free from offensive, hostile and intimidating behaviour.”

Incoming New South Wales (NSW) Senator Dave Sharma, a former ambassador to Israel, recently accused the Australian Greens party of having a blind spot for anti-semitism.

“We cannot allow conflicts overseas to be imported into Australia such that we allow groups of Australians to seek to demonise, or intimidate or vilify other groups of Australians,” Mr. Sharma said.

However, Greens Leader Adam Bandt denied the allegations saying he “very clearly” condemned anti-Semitism and Islamophobia in Parliament.

Truce Extended For 2 Days

Meanwhile, Israel and Hamas have just struck a deal to extend a temporary humanitarian ceasefire for a further two days.

“Those conditions are a ceasefire, and the entry of humanitarian aid. The agreement was reached within the framework of the joint mediation between the State of Qatar, the Arab Republic of Egypt, and the United States of America,” Qatari Foreign Affairs ministry spokesperson Dr. Majed Al-Ansari said.

U.S. National Security Council strategic communications coordinator John Kirby confirmed the humanitarian pause in Gaza would be extended.

“Hamas has committed to releasing another 20 women and children over the next two days. We would, of course, hope to see the pause extended further, and that will depend upon Hamas continuing to release hostages,” Mr. Kirby said in a White House press briefing.

The Qatari prime minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Nov. 27.