New South Wales Jewish Community

Hansard ID: HANSARD-1323879322-136176

Hansard session: Fifty-Eighth Parliament, First Session (58-1)

New South Wales Jewish Community

Mr MATT CROSS (Davidson) (15:05:21):

I move:

That this House:

(1)Notes that New South Wales has a vibrant Jewish community.

(2)Calls on the Government to action its election commitments, including: $15 million towards safety and security at faith institutions; enhancing Holocaust education; addressing rising antisemitism in our schools; $5 million to the Sydney Jewish Museum; and exploring direct flights between Sydney and Tel Aviv.

I will start with a story. Six years ago I visited Yad Vashem in Israel. One of the displays was a small pocket watch that belonged to Wlodzimierz Poczter. He gave it to his nephews, Benjamin and Nisan, in September 1944. Benjamin recounts:

… we saw all the prisoners, two thousand five hundred, sitting cross-legged on the ground with their hands on their heads. Uncle Poczter stepped out of line and approached my brother with his pocket watch and told him: "Take the watch, I won't be needing it anymore."

The pocket watch is the moment in time when the brothers parted with their uncle, who was later murdered. Six million Jewish people were murdered in the Holocaust simply because they were Jewish—the hatred, the pain and the terror of the Holocaust. On Saturday 7 October 2023 more Jewish people were murdered than on any other single day since the Holocaust. That is the gravity of the current situation. Many may ask why this motion and why now? Fate has it that the motion is being debated today. To not debate the motion today, when our Jewish community needs to hear from its leaders and friends, would be an act of cowardice. I first gave notice of the motion on 1 August 2023. It was a different time. The motivation then was to celebrate, recognise and acknowledge the vibrant Jewish community in New South Wales, which includes over 50,000 people and is growing.

The Australian Jewish News

On 16 March 2023 my friend David Ossip, who is the President of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, wrote in of the 2023 State election that the community will benefit no matter who wins. It is in this spirit of bipartisanship that we owe it to our vibrant Jewish community to make sure we do everything we can to ensure their safety and security, enhance Holocaust education and address rising antisemitism in our schools. Last night it was inspiring to be in Dover Heights with so many parliamentary colleagues in a bipartisan effort to stand united with 10,000 others in solidarity with our Jewish community. Now is the time for this House to stand united against hate speech, violence and terror. I ask members who speak on this motion to do so, free of hatred. This is not the motion or the time to engage in bitter partisanship. Our Jewish community should expect a respectful contribution by all elected officials at this time and in this debate.

With the indulgence of the House, I take a moment to acknowledge the Jewish community in the Davidson electorate, which is home to over 2,500 people of Jewish faith, three beautiful synagogues and Masada College at St Ives. The Davidson electorate is stronger because of its vibrant Jewish community. I thank the Jewish community for making me feel so welcome since I have become a member of Parliament. They opened their arms and their homes to me and my wife, Gessika, from the lighting of the Menorah at the St Ives Village Green to sharing many Shabbat dinners on a Friday evening and welcoming me several times to Masada College to meet with students. I thank them for inviting me to join them on Monday 9 October 2023 for a gathering of North Shore synagogues at Masada with rabbis Schapiro, Friedler, Koncepolski and Lewin.

The events that we saw on Saturday 7 October 2023 have been sobering. They have been confronting. In fact, they have been heart-breaking. Over 1,200 Israelis have been murdered in the worst attacks in the country's 75-year history. Over 100 people in Be'eri have been murdered, including Sydney woman Galit Carbone. In Kfar Aza, 40 innocent babies and young children were murdered, many of them as they slept in their beds. In Sderot, seven people were murdered at a bus stop. The 260 people who attended the Supernova music festival were murdered by Hamas militants, who arrived by land and by air; others were raped and taken hostage. One hundred and fifty Israelis have been taken to Gaza as hostages. We hope and we pray for their safe return.

My message to the people of Israel is to please stay safe. For Australians wanting to leave Israel, our local Federal member of Parliament, Paul Fletcher, advises them to contact +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135. I thank the Federal Government for making sure that we are offering flights for those people who need to leave harm's way. In conclusion, I quote the Israeli Prime Minister, who once said, "If the Arabs put down their weapons today, there would be no more violence. But if the Jews put down their weapons today, there would be no more Israel." I am proud to place firmly on the record that I stand with Israel, with the people of Israel and with our vibrant Jewish community. I am proud to be their friend and their supporter, both in the good times and in the not‑so‑good times. We need to make sure that we stick together as a community. I commend the motion to the House.

Mr DAVID HARRIS (WyongMinister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty, Minister for Gaming and Racing, Minister for Veterans, Minister for Medical Research, and Minister for the Central Coast) (15:11:53):

— On behalf of the Government, I speak in support of the motion moved by the member for Davidson but foreshadow that the Government will move an amendment. The New South Wales Government has clearly and unequivocally condemned the acts of violence and hatred conducted by members of Hamas on citizens of Israel. This is an abhorrent attack on Israeli citizens. It is indiscriminate, with civilians being targeted, killed and murdered and many being taken hostage. The position of the Government could not be clearer: We stand with the people of Israel and the Jewish community in this very difficult time. We express our deepest sadness and grief for those impacted by this attack. We are working closely with the Australian Government to support those from New South Wales who may have been impacted. New South Wales is a strong and connected society. We respect the different backgrounds and cultures that make us stronger. We are proud to be one of the most successful multicultural States on the planet.

There is absolutely nothing to celebrate in the killing of innocent people, the firing of rockets at civilians or the taking of hostages. Members of the Jewish community should be able to feel safe and secure in their own city, State and country. The Jewish community has every right to get together to commemorate, in a solemn way, what has happened in Israel. The scenes on Monday, where epithets were thrown at the Jewish community by protesters, were nothing short of horrific. As we learn more about the impacts of this Hamas attack on Israel and its humanitarian consequences, we need to keep rejecting hate and violence and all those who perpetrate it. I endorse the comments of the member for Davidson about the continued support of the Israeli community during this difficult time. I also acknowledge his attendance, among others, at last night's ceremony. Unfortunately, I was not able to attend because I had to fill in here while Parliament continued to sit. Through talking to colleagues, I know that it was—I do not think there are words to describe the feeling of sadness but also support for each other in this difficult time.

The Government's amendment to the motion will focus on and highlight the election commitments that were mentioned in the original motion that we have delivered on for the Jewish community, and I am pleased to be able to share those details with the House. In a little more than six months, the New South Wales Government has delivered on many of Labor's key election commitments to the Jewish community and is taking steps to fulfil the others. We have delivered on our promise to pass legislation to make religious vilification unlawful by amending the Anti-Discrimination Act. We have delivered on our commitment of $5 million for the Sydney Jewish Museum The recent budget included funding for faith organisations to improve safety and security at religious institutions, including places of worship, schools, community centres and buildings. The Minister for Education and Early Learning is tackling religious intolerance and bullying in New South Wales schools. That includes developing best-practice curriculum resources for teaching about the Holocaust.

We have also established the NSW Faith Affairs Council. I was pleased to be at the dinner that launched the Faith Affairs Council, with the Minister for Multiculturalism, the Premier and many current and former members of Parliament in attendance, along with a diverse group of people across the whole religious landscape of New South Wales. It was a great demonstration of how it is important that we protect our way of life and our multicultural society in New South Wales. It is a beacon for the rest of the world in how communities can get on together and live in peace and harmony, learn from each other and support each other. The new body will act as a formal means of consultation between the New South Wales Government and religious communities. I am happy to inform the House that David Ossip, friend of the member for Davidson and President of the Jewish Board of Deputies, has been appointed to sit on the new Faith Affairs Council.

The Jewish community in New South Wales deserves praise for the work that it is doing to connect with other faiths in New South Wales. The Jewish community has led the way in encouraging and participating in multifaith dialogues. It engages constructively on area where there are differences and works to find the common ground among people with different beliefs and traditions. For an example, we can look at the work that led to legislation to ban Nazi flags in New South Wales—a campaign led by Labor's shadow police Minister at the time, Walt Secord. The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies and the Hindu Council of Australia developed a landmark joint submission on this issue. Together, they showed a way forward that protected both communities. This is an example of the best of multiculturalism and of people of different faiths working together, achieving together.

In finishing, the New South Wales Government has been clear in our denunciation of both Hamas and the abhorrent protest that took place at the Sydney Opera House. We stand with the Jewish community, and we will continue to do everything we can to support them. Through the NSW Faith Council, we also hope that there can be world-leading dialogue that continues to show the world that in New South Wales people can live together in peace and harmony, that they can live in safety and that they can be respected, no matter what their religion is, to be able to carry out their cultural and religious ceremonies without any sort of persecution.

Mr ADAM CROUCH (Terrigal) (15:18:37):

I acknowledge this excellent motion brought on by the member for Davidson. The irony is not lost on me that he gave notice of this excellent motion on 1 August. In his first point, he notes that New South Wales has a vibrant Jewish community. It is so evident that our Jewish community has been fearful over the last few days, which is something that they should never ever have to face. My very good friend the late Hon. Margaret Davis from the other place would say that the member for Davidson has chutzpah. It is about standing up, being brave and making sure that we protect people in our community no matter their faith or beliefs. People have the right to feel safe in New South Wales. Sadly, what we saw early this week in the forecourt of the Opera House was the absolute opposite of what our State and we as Australians stand for.

The images coming out of Israel are nothing short of horrendous. Unspeakable atrocities are being perpetrated on the most innocent of people. This should not and cannot ever be tolerated by any civilised community anywhere in the world. Some 1,200 Israelis, including 260 people who were simply going to a music festival, have been murdered. Women and children are being murdered. This is totally unacceptable. This is a barbaric act of terrorism. It should not go uncondemned by the world and it should be dealt with.

I again acknowledge the member for Davidson and his contribution. It is important that people remember what happened to the Jewish community. The entire world needs to accept the fact of the Holocaust. I remember being in Washington on a trip many years ago and attending the Holocaust museum in Washington, D.C. with my wife. On arrival people are given a name. Touring through that museum, we are confronted by some incredibly stark imagery. At the end of that journey people find out whether they survived. The majority did not survive. We are talking about the extermination of more than six million Jewish people during World War II.

It is unacceptable that people in this day and age think they have a right to chant antisemitic slogans at an iconic location such as the Opera House. It is totally abhorrent and unacceptable to all of us. We need zero tolerance for the sort of racial hate speech we sadly saw emanating out of our own backyard this week. It is cowardly. It is gutless. It is the worst possible kind of behaviour and Australians will not tolerate it. When a person comes to this country they take an oath to abide by its laws and traditions. What we saw earlier this week was the opposite of all of that.

As Australians, we are proud to accept everybody. When people come to Australia, they leave their baggage at the door and are welcomed to the best multicultural nation in the world. The reason for that is our incredible tolerance for everybody. The motion of the member for Davidson, which I note he gave notice of on 1 August, typifies the problems that still exist and which we saw play out in stark reality earlier this week. All people living in New South Wales and this country need to know that they are safe 24/7, 365 days a year. I commend the member for Davidson on this excellent motion.

Dr MARJORIE O'NEILL (Coogee) (15:22:43):

Today I speak in debate on the motion moved by the member for Davidson. The electorate of Coogee in the eastern suburbs is proudly home to one of the largest Jewish populations in Australia. I love the way that Jewish migration to the eastern suburbs has marked the unique culture of our area. From our dialect of English, which has Yiddish embedded in it, to the food we all enjoy eating and the not‑for‑profits that feed and house the most vulnerable, our community is a richer, better and more interesting place because of Jewish migration.

I know that many people in our community are deeply hurting right now. Many Jews and Israelis in our community—many of whom I am personally friends with—have been directly impacted by the acts of violence and hatred conducted by members of Hamas on citizens of Israel that we have all witnessed over the past few days. I reaffirm that the New South Wales Government and I clearly and unequivocally condemn these acts of violence and hatred conducted by members of Hamas on citizens of Israel. Along with the Government, I express our deepest sadness and grief for those impacted by this attack.

History has shown us that whenever there are acts of violence in the Middle East against Israel and her people, we are more likely to see increased antisemitism in Australia. Sadly, we have already seen such acts of violence displayed in New South Wales. There has a never been clearer moment to demonstrate why the Government has a responsibility to fund security for the New South Wales Jewish community. I note that funding security for the Jewish community has always been and should always remain a nonpartisan issue as long as antisemitism exists within our society. I am proud that our recent budget included funding for faith organisations to improve safety and security at religious institutions, including places of worship, schools, community centres and buildings.

But in order to eliminate the oldest hate, we must do more. That is why the education Minister is tackling religious intolerance and bullying in New South Wales schools. This includes developing best‑practice curriculum resources for teaching about the Holocaust. It is why we have established the NSW Faith Affairs Council, a new body that will act as a formal means of consolidation between the New South Wales Government and religious communities. I am also happy to inform the House that David Ossip, President of the Jewish Board of Deputies, has been appointed to sit on the new Faith Affairs Council.

The Jewish community in New South Wales deserves praise for the work it is doing to connect with other faiths in New South Wales. The Jewish community has led the way in encouraging and participating in multi‑faith dialogues. It engages constructively on areas where there are differences and works to find the common ground among people with different beliefs and traditions. A prime example of this has been the work that led to legislation to ban Nazi flags in New South Wales. The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies and the Hindu Council of Australia developed a landmark joint submission on this issue. Together, they showed a way forward that protected both communities. This is an example of the best of multiculturalism—of people of different faiths working together and achieving together. For more than 2000 years the Jewish story has been one of hope and survival. I know that at the end of this darkness, that story will continue.

Mr MARK COURE (Oatley) (15:26:52):

I thank the member for Davidson for bringing this important motion before the House today. I express my unwavering support for the vibrant and diverse Jewish community of New South Wales. Our great State has always been a melting pot of cultures, religions and traditions. It is the unity and contributions of the Jewish community that enrich the cultural fabric of New South Wales. I express my solidarity with the Jewish community in the face of the violence and suffering occurring overseas.

New South Wales is home to a thriving Jewish community with a rich heritage and storied history dating back to the early days of European settlement. Jewish immigrants first arrived on our shores in the nineteenth century, and the Jewish community has since become an integral part of our social, cultural and economic life. The Jewish community has not only persevered but thrived. The resilience of its members is a testament to the strength of their traditions and their commitment to building a better future for all.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the Jewish community in New South Wales is its commitment to education and knowledge. The importance placed on learning and education is deeply ingrained in Jewish culture. It is reflected in the many educational institutions and programs established by the community. Jewish schools, synagogues and cultural organisations offer a wide array of educational opportunities for members of the community and the broader society. In doing so they promote inclusivity, diversity and cultural understanding, which are vital in our multicultural society.

The Jewish community in New South Wales also makes significant contributions to the arts, science and business sectors. From renowned artists and musicians to esteemed scientists and successful entrepreneurs, individuals of Jewish heritage have made outstanding contributions to our State's prosperity and cultural richness. This dedication to excellence and innovation is a source of inspiration to all residents of New South Wales.

Furthermore, the Jewish community's strong emphasis on social justice and philanthropy has had a profound impact on our State. Acts of kindness and charity are core values that guide the actions of many Jewish community members. This commitment to helping those in need, regardless of their background, is a shining example of the spirit of generosity and compassion that is essential to the social fabric of New South Wales. I say this clearly: Everyone in our community has the right to live, work and practise their religion in safety, free from fear of violence and persecution. It is a central tenet of our democratic and rules-based society that all communities deserve to live in safety and happiness. Threats to this way of life must be condemned and addressed with the utmost seriousness.

In New South Wales we are fortunate to have a strong tradition of unity, diversity and mutual respect, and we must remain vigilant in preserving these values. It is essential that we recognise the challenges faced by the Jewish community, including combating discrimination and antisemitism. It is our shared responsibility to stand together and ensure that every member of our community, regardless of their faith or ethnicity, is treated with respect and dignity. I echo calls for the Government to deliver on its election commitments towards increasing the safety and security of our faith institutions. Through my many conversations with all our religious and faith groups, I know that the protection of places of worship is a significant priority for them. It is crucial that this Government does all it can to ensure that the safety of our faith institutions is protected.

The Jewish community of New South Wales is a vital and cherished part of our State. Their history, values, contributions and commitment to education, culture and social justice are woven into the very fabric of our society. We must celebrate and support the New South Wales Jewish community, recognising their unique heritage and the positive influence they have on our State. I acknowledge the Jewish Board of Deputies for its advocacy and support for the Jewish community. I give particular thanks to President David Ossip, Acting CEO Michael Gencher and former CEO Darren Bark. As a Parliament, let us continue to stand on the side of peace and in solidarity with those affected by this conflict and, in doing so, strengthen the bonds of our diverse society. Together, we can create a brighter future for New South Wales, where every individual is valued and respected and our community thrives on the principles of unity, diversity and inclusion.

Mr RON HOENIG (HeffronMinister for Local Government) (15:31:54):

— I thank the member for Davidson for recognising the vibrancy of the Jewish community. He gave notice of this motion before the horrors that occurred on Sukkot Simchat Torah over the weekend. Bearing that mind, I move:

That the motion be amended by omitting paragraph (2) and inserting instead:

(2)Notes the Government's action to fulfill its election commitments to the Jewish community.

As a member of the Jewish community in this State, I value members' contributions about that community. I indicate to the House that, until I became a Minister, I was a member of the Jewish Board of Deputies representing Maroubra Synagogue. The ministerial code of conduct required me to resign and did not permit me to continue on the board of Maroubra Synagogue because being a member of corporations is not permitted for Ministers. Nevertheless, I cannot say that I have an independent view about the atrocities and barbarities that occurred over the weekend.

Coming from my background—when my grandparents were exterminated for the sole reason of being Jewish, when I stood in the killing fields and trekked down the sand dunes in Kalevi-Liiva in Estonia, where thousands of Jews were shot naked into the unmarked trenches beneath my feet, and with a mother who survived concentration camps and the horrors that millions of Jews experienced, remembering that six million were exterminated—I have a real understanding of the comments and offensive expressions that people made on the forecourt of the Opera House about members of the Jewish community. It does not require me to comment, other than to say that at least the world sees the extent of the challenge that it must continue to address.

I remind the House that Yom Kippur was only a little over two weeks ago. During Yom Kippur in Kensington Nazi slogans were painted on a wall out the front of a house. Antisemitism is not far away from us in any part of the international community. It is fundamental that we drive it out, lest there be a repeat of what we saw occur in Israel. There is a section of the international community that does not believe Jews should survive and has committed itself to their destruction. We need to be ever vigilant in this country to ensure that that plague does not spread in this country. We need to be vigilant to ensure that we do not permit opportunities for those things to even begin.

Ms FELICITY WILSON (North Shore) (15:36:12):

By leave: Australia, and New South Wales in particular, is a great place to call home because of the success of our multicultural community—and a great part of that success is our vibrant Jewish community. I thank the member for Davidson for bringing this motion before the House. He gave notice of the motion a few months ago in the spirit of celebrating the Jewish community, and also with a great sense of sobriety around the need for security and safety for the Jewish community, which we have known for an incredibly long time is necessary. In light of the occurrences overseas, it is prescient that the motion was to be debated this week.

We know that the Jewish community plays an essential role in the cultural, economic and social fabric of New South Wales. I hope we can celebrate that contribution as well as contemplate the challenges that the community is facing. According to the Jewish Board of Deputies, approximately 50,000 people of Jewish faith reside in Sydney—throughout Greater Sydney but particularly in the eastern suburbs and north of the Harbour Bridge, including in my electorate of North Shore. I acknowledge Cremorne Synagogue in Neutral Bay, which is on the same street as my office, and Rabbi Chaim Koncepolski for all the work they do for the Jewish community on the North Shore. I have been fortunate to attend festivals and commemoration services as the member for North Shore and I have seen firsthand the strong bonds of community and friendship that the Jewish people share. They always welcome me into their shul as though they are welcoming me into their family home.

It would be remiss of me not to talk about the terrorist attacks that took place in Israel this week. Not since the Holocaust has there been such a large loss of Jewish life in a single day, and obviously everybody condemns that barbaric violence. I look forward to joining with Cremorne Synagogue in solidarity tomorrow and making sure that, as a community, we stand shoulder to shoulder with our Jewish community. We know that there is no place for the antisemitic behaviour that we have seen across Sydney in recent days—racial epithets, calling for death to the Jews, and protesters burning the Israeli flag.

When we were in government, with the support of the then Opposition, we banned the use of Nazi symbols in New South Wales amid concerns about rising antisemitism. I acknowledge that the motion calls for that focus to continue to ensure that we appropriately fund work to keep the community safe. But our Jewish community is resilient. I recall visiting Masada in Israel a number of years ago and I appreciate the spirit it imbues in Jewish people across the globe. It has done so throughout time. I note the 10,000 people who came together last night at Dover Heights to think about and reflect on the resilience in the face of 2,000 years of persecution and exile, including the Holocaust. Despite all the challenges, they remain a deeply resilient people.

I acknowledge the Jewish Board of Deputies and the Executive Council of Australian Jewry for all their advocacy work. While our Jewish community may be going through a dark moment at this point in time, there is still so much to celebrate about this vibrant culture and community. I am so grateful that they call my community of North Shore home. We celebrate together, knowing that things have to—but will—get better. We know that our Australian Jewish community in Sydney and across the country will always be part of our great Australian story.

TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Alex Greenwich):

Before I call the member for Davidson in reply, given the importance of this motion to the House, the Chair will show some lenience to go beyond the 3.40 p.m. deadline for general business.

Mr MATT CROSS (Davidson) (15:40:04):

In reply: I thank the Temporary Speaker. I thank the member for Wyong, the member for Terrigal, the member for Coogee, the member for Oatley, the member for Heffron and the member for North Shore for their contributions to the motion. I thank the member for Heffron for his amendment, which I am happy to support. As I said in my remarks, this is a time when we need to come together for the Jewish community. We are friends of the Jewish community in both the good times and the bad times. I thank all members for their support of a very respectful debate.

TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Alex Greenwich):

The member for Davidson has moved a motion, to which the member for Heffron has moved an amendment. The question is that the amendment be agreed to.

Amendment agreed to.

TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Alex Greenwich):

The question is that the motion as amended be agreed to.

Motion as amended agreed to.