The Zionist Federation of Australia is disappointed that Foreign Minister Penny Wong will not visit the sites of the Hamas massacre during her visit to Israel.
ZFA President Jeremy Leibler said, “A visit to Ground Zero of the worst antisemitic attack since the Holocaust would have been an important show of solidarity with Israel and Jewish Australians.”
Mr Leibler continued, “This decision comes at a time when Australia’s position must be strengthened. The UK, US, Canada and Germany have all backed Israel against the appalling and baseless genocide allegations, yet Australia has been silent. Israel is looking for support from other democracies that seek to uphold the international rules-based order, which the South African case is undermining. By remaining silent on the ICJ case, and now refusing to visit the sites of the Hamas massacre, Australia is sending the wrong message.”
ZFA CEO Alon Cassuto added, “The Foreign Minister’s stated aim for this visit, which the ZFA supports, is to advocate for a ‘pathway out of this conflict’. The fastest way to end all suffering, is to reiterate Australia’s official position that ‘Hamas must release all hostages, stop using Palestinian civilians as human shields, and lay down its arms.’ If this happens, this conflict could be over tomorrow.”
