In open letter to Australians and the Australian Jewish community, the president of the Zionist Federation of Australia reflects on the 12 months since the October 7 attacks.
It’s hard to believe that a year has passed since October 7, 2023. The feeling of abject helplessness, the hours of waiting as Hamas live-streamed unspeakable barbarity, the moments processing the scale of the loss, destruction and trauma. These experiences are now entwined in the DNA of the Jewish condition.
No other country is expected to submit to its annihilation. Of course, it is legitimate to criticise Israeli government policies. In fact, thousands of Israelis protest every day. However, that criticism must not descend into antisemitism or support for terrorism. It is clear to me that our experience over the past 12 months has not been just about Israel or Gaza. The challenges we face are rooted in a broader ideological battle. Israel’s conflict with Hamas and Hezbollah is not about territory – it is about survival, not just for a nation, but for Western democracies.
Yet, amid this profound tragedy, something remarkable is unfolding. Our community has drawn closer, rekindling the ties that bind us. A renewed sense of Jewish identity has blossomed, alongside a deepened connection to Israel.
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