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.
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.
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.
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.
