No evidence ‘gas the Jews’ was chanted at Opera House
Police have found no evidence an offensive anti-Semitic phrase was used at a widely condemned pro-Palestine rally on the steps of Sydney Opera House.
Participants of a Free Palestine rally react outside the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Monday, October 9, 2023 (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
The snap rally on October 9 was sparked by a decision to light the Opera House’s sails in the colours of the Israeli flag after the Hamas attack that sparked the latest Israel-Gaza conflict.
Edited footage of protesters chanting “gas the Jews” was later shared by the Australian Jewish Association with news organisation, leading to widespread condemnation and changes to hate-crimes laws.
But NSW Police, which had come under fire for not intervening, said an extensive investigation found no evidence the chant occurred at the rally.
“As a result of independent forensic analysis of audio-video files of the demonstration provided to investigators, police have no evidence that this phrase was used,” investigators said in a statement on Friday.
“Police also obtained statements from several individuals who attended the protest indicating they heard the phrase, however, these statements have not attributed the phrase to any specific individual.”
Deputy Commissioner Mal Lanyon said there were offensive words used at the protest, but analysis from a forensic expert showed the statement that was “overwhelmingly used” was “where’s the Jews?”.
Several protesters at the rally held signs criticising Israel and its government, including descriptions of the nation as a terrorist state.
Detectives continue to ask anyone with information who may not have yet spoken with police to come forward.
Australian Jewish Association president David Adler told AAP he was unable to immediately comment as he had not seen the police statement.
At the time of the protest, Premier Chris Minns led a host of prominent figures condemning the rally and the “shocking and abusive” comments reportedly made there.
Opposition Leader Mark Speakman also criticised police for approving the march and warning the Jewish community to steer clear of the Opera House forecourt.
“This was meant to be a chance for our Jewish community to have a peaceful vigil … and instead it’s allowed to be hijacked by a rowdy mob shouting anti-Semitic slogans, lighting flares and burning a flag,” he said.
Protest organisers Palestine Action Group previously rejected claims “gas the Jews” was uttered at the protest, while attributing a similar comment – “f*** the Jews” – to a tiny fringe of “vile anti-Semitic attendees”.
The mostly young teens were quickly condemned and asked to leave, the organisers said, with longstanding pro-Palestinian activists and Arab elders “disgusted and deplored by the action”.
The ugly scenes were preceded by dozens of peaceful pro-Palestine demonstrations across the nation, including several attended by thousands of people in Melbourne and Sydney.
The president of the New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies, David Ossip, told J-Wire: “The findings of the NSW Police investigation in respect of the Opera House demonstration on 9 October confirms once again what a night of national shame and infamy this was.
Less than 48 hours after 1,200 innocent human beings were murdered, raped and mutilated and hundreds were taken hostage – activists menacingly chanted “Fuck the Jews” and “Where’s the Jews?” whilst burning an Israeli flag and throwing flares at the Opera House.
If they wanted to know where we were whilst they were out celebrating, we were at home mourning our dead family and friends and worrying about those who had been taken hostage.
Based on the Police’s advice to the Jewish community to stay away from the CBD, we can only imagine what would have happened if they had found “the Jews”.
This was a night where dangerous and unadulterated antisemitism found manifestation in the shadow of one of our nation’s greatest landmarks. No one should be distracted into thinking otherwise.”
The Zionist Federation of Australia stated by saying that no matter the findings of NSW Police with respect to whether “gas the Jews” was in fact chanted, “fuck the Jews” and “where are the Jews” were chanted at this same rally.
A spokesperson said: “While numerous eyewitnesses heard the crowd chant ‘gas the Jews’ (and signed statutory declarations to that effect), we understand and respect the difficult position police forces across the nation are finding themselves in on a daily basis as our community is confronted by hundreds of acts of antisemitism and threats of violence.
We note that several independent sources including Sky News have confirmed that the footage had not been edited or doctored, and NSW Police has not claimed the video was edited or doctored.”
ZFA President Jeremy Leibler said, “The crowd at the Sydney Opera House were revelling in the massacre of Hamas on October 7, and spewing revolting antisemitism – including chanting ‘fuck the Jews’ and ‘where’s the Jews’. This vile rally was purposefully designed to prevent the Sydney Jewish community from gathering in mourning and solidarity.”
Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-CEO Alex Ryvchin: “Multiple independent witnesses have verified and declared that the ‘gas the Jews’ phrase was used. We know what we heard, and the world knows what was said.
“However, the exact words used in these chants is not the core issue. The core issue is that on October 9, before Israel had even commenced its military response, just two days after the greatest atrocity inflicted on the Jewish people since the Holocaust, a mob of thugs gathered at one of our nation’s most cherished sites to celebrate the mass slaughter and rape of Israelis, to burn Israeli flags and to chant threateningly towards fellow Australians.
“‘Where’s the Jews’ is as bad as ‘gas the Jews’. ‘Fuck the Jews’ is as dangerous and abhorrent as ‘gas the Jews’.
“This is the issue and no matter what efforts some will go to, to deflect or confuse the public, the issue was and remains violence on our streets and threats to our social cohesion.”
AAP/J-Wire
