Letters To The Editor: Australian antisemitism

Dear Editor:

Growing up in Australia was so secure and pleasant. “G’day mate, how’re you going?” was the cheerful greeting of people as they passed each other in the street. We didn’t lock the doors and the windows were always kept open. How did this “pleasant, friendly society turn into one filled with so much hatred?

On Oct. 9, 2023, before we even understood what had happened in Israel, before we had started to defend our country, before we retaliated against the murderous attack on the kibbutzim and the border villages, Australians were standing in front of the Sydney Opera House yelling “Gas the Jews.” This phrase is very painful for Jewish Australians to hear as many Jews found shelter in Australia after the Holocaust. After Israel, Australia received one of the highest proportions of Holocaust survivors relative to its Jewish population. When asked, “Why did you choose to go to Australia?” the answer was, “It was the farthest we could get from Europe.”

Apparently, by 2025, it wasn’t far enough.

Australia’s current Foreign Minister, Penny Wong, was born in Malaysia. Penny Wong’s foreign policy positions reflect views long common in that region. Malaysia has no diplomatic relations with Israel and refuses to recognize Israel. The Australian Prime Minister has previously participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations and, earlier in his career, had contact with Yasser Arafat.

As a lawyer would say, “I rest my case.”

There have been many incidents against Jews in the last two years. Ever since the synagogue, Adass Yisrael, was burned down last year I have been very upset with what has been happening in Australia. My father, Jonas Eckstein, with about 10 men, all Holocaust survivors, established this synagogue. For me, seeing it reduced to ashes was an omen of things to come.

I am truly thankful that my parents’ generation is no longer alive to see what is happening. They would have been devastated.

Tova Teitelbaum

Haifa, Israel