Former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison denounced the recent rise of anti-semitism during a Sunday rally in support of Israel, titled ‘Never Again Is Now’.
“We are deeply sorry,” Morrison told the thousands gathered at Sydney’s iconic The Domain venue. “Sadly, instead of finding consolation, on too many occasions you have found isolation, abandonment, and even persecution in this free country. Instead of safety, you were confronted with threats and hatred.”
In his speech, the former premier cited examples of such anti-semitism, including calls for the extinction of the Jewish State “from the river to the sea,” comparing Israeli government policies to those of Nazi Germany, and equating Hamas terror attacks with Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
Morrison expressed his support for a two-state solution but warned that it would be impossible to achieve if excuses are made for acts of terrorism and anti-semitism.
“We do need two states that are interested in the development of their own positive society, not the extermination of their neighbors,” he said. “At present, the competence of such a second state, and free state beyond Israel, is not present.”
Australia has experienced an eight-fold surge in anti-semitic incidents following the October 7 attacks, during which Hamas terrorists from Gaza invaded southern Israel and killed over 1,200 citizens.
