Bondi: Bipartisan support from Macquarie Street
NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell and Minister for Citizenship and Communities Victor Dominello have condemned what appears to have been an antisemitic attack in Sydney’s Bondi late in Friday night…with opposition leader John Robertson offering bipartisan support to the community.
The family injured in the attack have issued the following statement: “We thank G-D that we are alive.
Our overriding concern is that such an attack should not happen again – to anyone.
Our objective at this time is not vengeance, but justice and concern. We want justice to be done in regard to the perpetrators. And we are concerned about the need for the education of future generations about the importance of goodwill and tolerance, and the need for society to embrace those concepts. We would like to see proactive measures in that regard.
People should be free to walk the streets in safety, without fear of being attacked because of the colour of their skin or the race to which they belong.
We wish to thank the police for their fast response on the night of the incident, as well as St Vincent’s Hospital emergency staff, the ambulance service, the shopkeepers who offered assistance, the locals who tried to help, the hotel bouncers who eventually came to our aid. We also thank the Premier, Opposition Leader, ministers, shadow ministers, MPs and leaders of the many faith groups and organisations across the wider community which have expressed support and concern. We also thank friends and members of the community. The support is deeply appreciated and reminds us that what occurred is not what Australia is about.”
Minister Victor Dominello and Premier Barry O’Farrell photo: Henry Benjamin
Mr O’Farrell said he was very concerned by the incident and claims the victims were targeted because of their religion.
“NSW is a multicultural State with a zero tolerance toward religious discrimination,” Mr O’Farrell said.
“The multicultural fabric of NSW is one of the State’s greatest assets and there’s no place for anyone to be attacked on the basis of their beliefs or racial background.
“While I hope police discover some other cause of these senseless attacks, if it is determined to be motivated by religious hatred I expect the accused to face the full force of the law,” he said.
Mr Dominello said everyone had a right to feel safe on the streets of NSW.
“I condemn what’s alleged to have been an antisemitic attack on Friday, this behaviour is un-Australian and completely unacceptable,” said Mr Dominello.
“My thoughts are with the victims of the incident and the Jewish community, who are distressed and concerned at this time.
NSW is a state of great cultural diversity where people largely live harmoniously together.
We must use instances such as this to make clear that any discrimination has no place in our communities.
We are a society that values peace and harmony and there is absolutely no place for racial hatred in NSW,” Mr Dominello said.
John Robertson
Leader of the Labor Opposition John Robertson has echoed their sentiment in offering bipartisan support to the Jewish community.
In condemning the attack John Robertson said: “As I said at yesterday’s Harmony Walk, everyone has the right to practice their faith or attend their place of worship without fear of attack.
Racially motivated and antisemitic violence has no place in our society.
This incident is a reminder that we must remain vigilant against hatred and bigotry wherever it exists.
My thoughts and best wishes for a speedy recovery go out to those injured.”
Guy Zangari
Shadow Minister for Citizenship and Communities Guy Zangari added: “As a society, there is no alternative but for us to pursue a strategy of zero tolerance against racism.”
When decent people remain silent in the face of racial intolerance, it only allows that hatred to foster.
Like so many migrant communities, the Jewish community has an outstanding record of contribution. They have helped make NSW and Australia what it is today.
Let us all unite to stamp out antisemitic sentiments in our society.”
NSW Liberal State MP Gabrielle Upton had this to say: “I join with the Premier Barry O’Farrell and Minister for Citizenship and Communities Victor Dominello in strongly condemning what is alleged to have been an antisemitic attack in Bondi on Friday.
I am very concerned by the reports of this incident and claims the victims were targeted because of their religion.
NSW is a proud multicultural State. We have zero tolerance for racial discrimination.
This kind of violence is totally unacceptable in our society and has no place in our communities.
My thoughts are with the victims and the entire Jewish community at this difficult and distressing time.”
President of the ZCNSW Richard Balkin
The Zionist Council of NSW has also unreservedly condemned the unprovoked racial attack on members of the Jewish Community which occurred in Bondi on Friday night.
A statement released by president Richard Balkin reads: “An attack of this nature is not only an attack on the Jewish community but also on the fabric of Australian society which has for so long been an example to the world of a harmonious multi-cultural society.
We are fortunate to live in a country where laws are in place to make this sort of behaviour not only unacceptable but also illegal. It is our fervent hope that the perpetrators of this heinous act will feel the full force of the law and that Australia will be spared from future acts of this nature.
We wish those who have been injured a speedy recovery and much strength to both them and their families.
The Zionist Council of NSW wishes to thank the courageous people who assisted those being attacked and who represent the best of Australian society.
Stepan Kerkyasharian
“We must confront antisemitism and racism of any kind whenever and wherever we find it”, the Chair of the Community Relations Commission of New South Wales, Stepan Kerkyasharian, said today.
“In this day and age when we are a successful multifaith and multicultural society it is totally unacceptable that people are physically attacked on the basis of their religion.
“However, confronting and dealing with racism is not just the responsibly of police, each and every one of us has a responsibility to deal with it, because it ultimately and invariably leads to violence and bloodshed.
“Everyone should assist the police in bringing these perpetrators to justice and they must feel the full force of the law.
“Meanwhile we must all lend our support to those who have been injured in this terrible attack and continue to suffer”, Mr Kerkyasharian said.
