From the Prime Minister
December 10, 2023 by J-Wire
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To the Jewish people of Australia — and around the world — Chag Urim Sameach…writes Anthony Albanese.
Wall Two Eighty’s Greg Bremner, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese andJosh Burns MP
The miracle of a single vial of oil burning for eight nights speaks to the strength of the
Jewish faith in even the darkest of times.
The message of hope Chanukah brings is as important as ever.
I know Jewish Australians are carrying a deep pain in your hearts right now. As you light the Menorah this year, be proud of your Jewish faith and the strength of the community in Australia.
May you find comfort and hope as you honour the traditions that have sustained you for generations.
May the lights of Chanukah shine brightly through darkness.
Your message says the expected when you wish us a good Chanukah and remind us of what it means, Prime Minister Albanese. You refer briefly to the deep pain in our hearts right now. You acknowledge that in general. Could you not bring yourself to say a little more of the situation we face in this country right now with the large increase in antisemitism and our movements necessarily curtailed? And to say it, addressing it specifically to us, without resort to the balancing act of racism generally and Islamophobia?
We do not have to be reminded to be proud of being Jewish. But we do need to be able to demonstrate that pride publicly if we so wish and thus far government and police are letting us down in that quarter. Over to you.