Local Community Bands Together In Defiance of Surging Antisemitism, Violence & Hate

Israeli and Australian flags, prayers for peace, and heartwarming and heartbreaking stories of solidarity in the midst of war were heard on Sunday as a public Rally in Support of Israel Against Antisemitism drew together Sunshine Coast locals from all walks of life.

Members of the Sunshine Coast Jewish Community, supported by churches, MPs, and an array of other groups converged on Cotton Tree Park to demonstrate support for the Jewish people and the Israeli diaspora.

The rally comes after Jewish communities in Australia and across the world face an historic upsurge in both violent and discriminatory antisemitic incidents.

Nazi symbols, racist slurs, and even attempts to “dox” and boycott Jewish Australians and supporters of Israel have been found online and offline, with the Sunshine Coast playing host to the same kind of hate-filled protests seen in major cities in Australia and around the world.

Rally organiser, Idan Grossman, shared that his intention in organising the event was simple: to stand up and to stand together against antisemitism at home and abroad.

“It was crucial for our community to demonstrate that we will not tolerate antisemitism infiltrating our lives here on the Sunshine Coast,” Idan said.

“It’s imperative that we stand together in solidarity to reject hatred and uphold the values of inclusivity and respect for all.”

Rabbi Oshy Goodman who leads the Chabad Sunshine Coast, has fiercely stood up to the growing surge of antisemitism on the Sunshine Coast, citing the role adults play in perpetuating antisemitism.

“It’s imperative, especially in today’s climate, that we educate our children and friends on the importance of acceptance and love,” Rabbi Oshy said, adding, “The war in Gaza is a direct result of indoctrination, and breeding hate to children from a young age.”

Andrew Wallace, the Federal Member for Fisher and Chair of the Israel Allies Caucus, an international parliamentary alliance, shared of his own experience in visiting Israel in the aftermaths of the October 7 massacre.

“I will never forget what I’ve seen, smelt, and heard. Heartbroken mothers, devastated communities, and traumatised children kidnapped and tortured by Hamas terrorists… it’s an indescribable kind of grief in response to the most heinous kind of evil,” Mr Wallace recounted.

“And then to return to the quiet Sunshine Coast and see activists shouting the same antisemitic slurs – perverting justice, inverting history, and invoking the same tropes as Nazis and terrorists – it’s crushing,” Mr Wallace continued.

“We all have a responsibility to stand up, speak up, and show up in the fight against antisemitism and hate, and that’s what this rally was all about. We know what happened last time the world stayed silent. We promised never again. We all have an obligation to ensure that we keep our promise,” Mr Wallace added.

Fiona Simpson MP, State Member for Maroochydore, and Shadow Minister for Integrity in Government and for Finance and Better Regulation led the assembly in a prayer for peace, and for the return of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas terrorists.

“The evil of the barbaric acts by Hamas against Israeli civilians on October 7 is unprecedented in the modern era and cannot be condoned. It is hard to believe there are people denying or making excuses for this horrific terrorist attack on October 7 of rape, torture, and brutal murder and the taking of hostages, which included babies,” Ms Simpson said.

“We must strive for a path to peace that respects people of all backgrounds, races, and beliefs whether Arab or Jew, Muslim or Christian or other beliefs, and that means supporting the right of Israel to exist. Hamas’ mission to eradicate the Jewish people and the democratic State of Israel is not the pathway to peace but more hardship and suffering,” Ms Simpson added.

A live recording of the Rally can be found on Mr Wallace’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/wallace4fisher/.