The Zionist Federation of Australia has condemned plans to hold a so-called “Vigil for Gaza” in Melbourne on 7 October, saying the event seeks to erase the Hamas atrocities that occurred on that date.
ZFA President Jeremy Leibler said:
“October 7 is a day of mourning for the more than 1,200 innocent people murdered when Hamas-led terrorists invaded Israel, massacring families in their homes, hunting down young people at a music festival, committing horrific sexual violence and dragging men, women, children and the elderly into Gaza as hostages.
“The organisers have published a lengthy statement about why they have chosen October 7. Not once do they mention Hamas. Not once do they mention terrorism, murder, rape or torture. Instead, they present October 7 as the day Israel attacked Gaza.
“That is not commemoration. It is an attempt to erase what happened on October 7 and strip Israel’s response of the context of the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.
“There is nothing wrong with mourning innocent Palestinian lives. Every innocent life lost is a tragedy. But there are 364 other days of the year on which to do that.
“For Australian Jews, October 7 is the day we remember those who were murdered, raped, tortured and kidnapped, and draw close to those who still carry the wounds of that atrocity.
“Surely, even after everything that has happened over the past three years, some things should remain sacred.
“Terror and antisemitism will not define Jewish life in Australia. We will continue to live proudly and openly as Jews, and nothing these groups do will weaken the bond between Australian Jewry, Australia and Israel.”