Jews warned against non-essential travel to Australia

by Admin
December 10, 2024

For the first time ever, Jewish people around the world are being advised to reconsider non-essential travel to Australia.

As a result of the failure of Australian authorities to “stand up against persistent demonisation, harassment and violence against Jews and Jewish institutions in Australia”, the Simon Wiesenthal Centre has issued a travel advisory for any Jews or Israelis considering travel to Australia.

In a letter sent to Australia’s ambassador to the United States Kevin Rudd, Rabbi Abraham Cooper of the Simon Wiesenthal Centre said he is “outraged that our fellow Jews in Australia are being targeted by hate crimes”, culminating in a terrorist firebombing of the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne.

“Such attacks were unthinkable just a few years ago. But in recent years, especially since October 7th, 2023, Jews the world over have been demonised and targeted by lslamists, pro-Hamas extremists, and many in the media and public life,” said Rabbi Cooper.

“Unfortunately, this includes the dynamic Jewish communities in Australia.”

Rabbi Cooper noted that the latest attack, “comes within days of Australia
voting for a UN resolution demanding Israel revert back to its indefensible pre-1967 War borders”.

“Such a resolution, far from strengthening hopes for peace only emboldens those who seek Israel’s demise, who demean Jewish history, and who hate Judaism, Zionism, and Zionists.

“We are not convinced that Jews are safe as the authorities have failed to take necessary measures to protect Jewish communities from increasingly belligerent and violent targeting by lslamists and other extremists.

“In failing to act against the demonisation of Jews, Israel and Zionism on the streets of Australian cities, the authorities have allowed violence against Jews and Israelis to be normalised.”

Rabbi Cooper added that he hopes the advisory will be short-lived.

“I do this with a heavy heart, but we are not convinced that the authorities in Australia are prepared to take the necessary steps to reassure the Jewish community there,” he said.