UPDATE: On the second anniversary of the October 7 attacks, survivor Danny Majzner is urgently calling on the Australian government to take decisive action to help end the ongoing Middle East conflict. His sister, Galit Carbone, was among over 1,200 people killed when Hamas terrorists launched a brutal assault on an Israeli music festival and nearby communities in 2023.
Today, Majzner met with Opposition Leader Sussan Ley in Canberra, advocating for stronger ties between Australia and Israel. He is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese tomorrow, underscoring the urgency of his message. “I survived. My sister wasn’t as lucky,” he stated poignantly during his discussions, highlighting the personal toll of the tragedy.
Majzner expressed his belief that Albanese has not done enough to facilitate peace in the Middle East, urging for a renewed alliance between Australia and Israel. “Israel and Australia should be allies again, like we used to be,” he emphasized. His comments come amid a backdrop of escalating violence, with Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza resulting in tens of thousands of Palestinian casualties.
The fallout from the October 7 attacks has sparked international attention, with multiple nations, including Australia, recognizing Palestinian statehood to pressure the Israeli government toward diplomatic solutions. Albanese condemned the attacks in parliament, describing the day as one of “pain and terror.” He branded Hamas as “standing in opposition to all humanity.”
Ley criticized the Australian government’s response since the attacks, stating, “Australia has been lauded by Hamas and condemned by Israel and the United Nations.” She asserted that the Jewish community in Australia feels abandoned by their government during this crisis.
Former attorney-general Mark Dreyfus highlighted the long-lasting impact of the October 7 massacre, indicating that its consequences will be felt for generations. He stressed the need for balance in managing pro-Palestinian protests, warning that current conditions have hampered the Jewish community’s ability to move freely and safely.
As tensions continue to escalate, further discussions on the conflict and its implications for Australia are anticipated in the coming days, with special envoys for anti-Semitism and Islamophobia set to address the matter during parliamentary estimates hearings. The government is also preparing to introduce legislation to designate foreign state entities as sponsors of terrorism.
The call for action from survivors like Majzner is becoming increasingly urgent as the anniversary of the tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing suffering and the need for immediate diplomatic efforts to forge peace in the region.
