Passover message from Peter Dutton
On behalf of the Coalition, I send my best wishes to Australians of Jewish faith on Passover.
Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton
The Israelites’ escape from Egyptian slavery under Moses’ leadership, their wandering of the Sinai Desert for forty years, and their return to their ancient land under Joshua is a story that evokes the strength, resilience and fellowship that is central to the Jewish character and identity. That strength, resilience and fellowship has been exemplified by Australia’s Jewish community during the last 18 months in which antisemitism has spiralled out of control in our country.
The antisemitism crisis we face stems from a vacuum of political leadership that can be traced back to the sordid scenes on the steps of the Sydney Opera House on 9 October 2023. Intolerable antisemitic incidents have been tolerated, which in turn, has generated more antisemitic incidents. Perpetrators have not been held accountable, which in turn, has seen would-be perpetrators undeterred.
This unprecedented wave of antisemitism not only threatens Australians of Jewish faith. It also imperils our social cohesion and is an attack on our democratic values and way of life. We can only end this crisis if supine leadership is replaced by strong leadership.
A Coalition Government I lead will provide the moral and political leadership needed to restore law, order and justice. Our expectations are clear: Australians who incite or choose violence will face the full force of the law; and non-citizens who incite or choose violence will have their visas cancelled and be deported.
We will establish a dedicated antisemitism taskforce to turn the tide of this scourge. We will introduce minimum sentences for acts of terrorism, for damage against places of worship, and for public displays of prohibited symbols. We will take forward a national conversation about the inadequacies of our migration and citizenship systems. And we will fund Holocaust museums so that schoolchildren are equipped with the lessons of history which serve as a shield of knowledge to deflect antisemitism.
Chag Pesach Sameach!
Unfortunately, despite my pleasure at the support Peter Dutton and other Liberal politicians have given Israel and the Australian Jewish communities since October 7, this Pesach message is too overtly political to be considered a good one.