The grassroots Lions of Zion has only been in existence for two months—garnering 3,300 followers on Instagram—and the message from organiser Yaacov Travitz is that it will continue to grow if anti-Semitism doesn’t stop.
Travitz made the comments to The Epoch Times during a rally last weekend on the steps of Melbourne’s state parliament.
Like many Jewish Australians, Travitz has grown weary of ongoing anti-Semitic activities, and believes social tensions will continue if peace in the Middle East isn’t achieved.
He says the return of the deceased children and their mother—Shiri Bibas, Kfir (nine months), and Ariel (four)—was only putting further strain on the community.
“My only reaction to the [Adass Israel Synagogue] firebombing is I was surprised it didn’t happen sooner,” Travitz said.
“The enabling given by the government has made it get worse and worse as time has gone on.
“And the only thing that keeps me surprised is that it’s not happening faster or sooner,” he said, saying the Victorian government needs to do more.
Garnering Support
Travitz says there’s a silent majority—those who condemn Hamas and their supporters—should speak out.“Very soon we'll be putting the call out and test the silent majority,” he said.
“And we'll give them a platform. A lot of people have been asking, ‘Where is the silent majority, and why aren’t they talking?’
“I say well, let’s put that to the test. We'll be doing that very soon.”
He also hopes to generate enough grassroots momentum to prevent issues like the cancellation of the annual Myer Windows Christmas event at Melbourne’s Bourke St Mall last year due to threatened pro-Palestine activities.
Travitz said the Lions of Zion movement was steadily expanding online.
“We’ve had calls from media overseas asking us all kinds of questions. So we’re growing not just in Melbourne, but in the international spectrum.
“We will very soon be opening a chapter in Sydney. And we'll go national and then international.”
The Lions of Zion’s Instagram page contains video clips of Jews and supporters of the Jewish cause against anti-Semitism waving and draping Israel flags around themselves.
“I don’t want to turn us into a political movement because we’re not.
“We’re from the people, for the people. We’re not just for Jews or Zionists.
“We’re for Jews, Zionists, Christians, Hindus, Iranians, Russians—anybody who wants an Australia for everyone.
