Tuesday, 15 October 2024

Middle East conflict

Ryan BATCHELOR (Southern Metropolitan) (14:09): Last week marked a year from the dreadful 7 October attacks by Hamas on Israel, which marked the greatest loss of Jewish life on a single day since the Holocaust. Hostages were taken; many are yet to be returned. There has been a huge loss of innocent lives, both Israeli and Palestinian, caused by these attacks, and that has been catastrophic. As I said in Parliament last year to mark the 7 October attacks, ‘In the maelstrom of conflict we cannot lose our shared humanity’, and for many the last year has been a sombre and harrowing time. Victoria’s strength is that we are multicultural and diverse, and our Jewish community is important to that. Last week I stood alongside the Jewish community at the 7 October memorial event in Moorabbin, along with many colleagues. It was a showcase of resilience.

I am pleased the Labor government is backing our faith communities. Last week six schools in Caulfield, St Kilda, Elsternwick and Brighton received funding under the safer faith-based schools program as we continue to take a stand against antisemitism. I met with the Jewish Community Council of Victoria and discussed the concerning recent rise in antisemitism and the role that funding from the Labor government has played in supporting the rollout of antisemitism education programs. We have also seen a disturbing rise in the use of hate symbols and hate gestures in public, and appropriate action is being taken under laws passed by this Parliament to end that.

Right now is a time of division, but it does not have to be. It is more important than ever to embrace our diverse communities and say no to hate. We must continue to carry hope, push for a ceasefire and return to a pathway to peace where Israel and a Palestinian state can coexist, free from terror and the horrors of war.