Melbourne activists warned not to use Bondi grief for protests
“There’s only one word to describe it; it’s called antisemitism,” Leibler said.
“I think every decent member of society will understand what this is, which is an attempt to use a handful of people who identify as Jews to attack and weaken the Jewish community at their most vulnerable time.”
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But Anti-Zionism Australia organizer David Glanz vowed to go ahead, saying the event was held in direct response to the Bondi attack by its mostly Jewish members.
“We want to make it clear that we do not think the Palestinian movement has a case to answer in terms of what happened in Bondi, and we stand with our brothers and sisters in the Palestinian movement, and this is a point we intend to emphasize on Saturday,” Glanz said.
“We will consider pausing if necessary.” [former federal treasurer] Josh Frydenberg retracted his speech. People who support Israel began blaming the Palestinians before some of the funerals were even held. In some cases they blamed Muslims; “In other cases, they blame immigrants.”
Frydenberg has been contacted for comment.
On Wednesday the former treasurer delivered an impassioned speech in which he called in part for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and state governments to stop allowing certain protests.
“Different people on the right side of the spectrum did not hold back,” Glanz said. “They are politicizing the horror at Bondi, we are not. We are simply saying that what happened at Bondi has nothing to do with the politics of the Palestinian movement and people should be allowed to mourn without this politicization.”
Saturday’s event is scheduled to feature four Jewish speakers, including Glanz, who has spoken at previous Free Palestine events.
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Melbourne member for Free Palestine Mai Saif was announced as a speaker at the Anti-Zionism Australia meeting but said she would not be included.
“The Palestinian community is horrified by this heinous crime and stands in solidarity with the Jewish community. We share nothing but love, care and support,” Saif said.
Glanz denied the meeting was a political rally and said it would be a “very sober, somber meeting” that would begin with a minute’s silence for the Bondi victims.
“We all understand. We either have direct connections or indirect connections to the community in Sydney,” he said.
“None of us minimize the horror of what we saw, but it is worth remembering that there are Palestinian and wider Middle Eastern communities who have lost relatives on a massive scale over the last two years, and yet they are being told they are responsible for the actions of two mad men.”
A prominent Jewish community leader said they were “aware and horrified” about Saturday’s anti-Zionist rally and had never heard of members of the group being involved in the Jewish community.
Right-wing anti-immigration activists also seized on the Bondi attack and held a “Save Australia” rally at Parliament House on Sunday afternoon. Organizer Morgan Jonas accused Albanians of treason for granting visas to those responsible for terrorism.
Victorian Trades Hall Council secretary Luke Hilakari said he was surprised anyone would stage such a protest a week after the Bondi massacre.
“You couldn’t have planned a more stupid activity, been more insensitive to the moment, or done more damage to the cause they wanted to pursue,” he said. “I’m baffled as to why anyone would do something like this. This is deliberately causing harm to a community that is suffering so much right now. This is not what solidarity looks like.”
State Member for Caulfield David Southwick said protests following the massacre were inappropriate and would only cause more pain and division.
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“Jacinta Allan needs to follow the lead of the NSW premier and ban these events from happening now,” Southwick said.
“Victoria remains the only state without a protest permit system. Despite repeated calls from Jewish leaders, the police union, the Liberals and the National Party, Prime Minister Allan has refused to act.”
Organizers of the Gaza Gathering announced they were postponing the $89-per-person fundraiser because the community needed “some time to process and grieve.”
“Our hearts go out to everyone affected, their loved ones, and the wider Jewish community,” organizers said on their website.
