A family-themed event organized by the Jewish group Lions of Zion in Melbourne has ignited controversy for allegedly celebrating Israel’s military operations that resulted in civilian casualties in Lebanon. Scheduled for December 7, 2024, the event is titled “Lions Nerf Heroes: Beeper Operation” and features activities including a battle game with toy NERF guns and Krav Maga training.
Critics have condemned the event as “disgraceful,” asserting that it glorifies Israel’s 2024 operation, which resulted in the deaths of 39 individuals and injuries to over 3,400, including many civilians. The event’s promotional materials refer to the military action as one of the most “cunning” missions executed by Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad, highlighting its “precision and ingenuity.”
International Condemnation of Military Actions
The military operation has drawn significant scrutiny from international organizations. Volker Türk, the United Nations’ human rights chief, stated that the actions violated international humanitarian law, calling them a potential war crime. “It is a war crime to commit violence intended to spread terror among civilians,” he asserted in a statement issued in September 2024.
The operation involved simultaneous explosions of pagers and walkie-talkies carried by members of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, leading to widespread devastation in both Lebanon and Syria. Following these incidents, the UN human rights experts warned that such attacks could be classified as war crimes due to their indiscriminate nature and targeting of civilians.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later confirmed his personal approval of the operation, which has been a point of contention in discussions about military ethics and international law.
Responses from Organizers and Community Leaders
In defense of the event, Lions of Zion co-founder Isaac Balbin remarked, “It is past time that Jewish people had to apologize for existing and defending themselves.” He claimed the group’s formation was a direct response to rising hostility toward Melbourne’s Jewish community following the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas on Israel, which resulted in over 1,200 deaths.
Another co-founder, Yaacov Travitz, described the organization as a “movement” rather than a formal group, emphasizing their desire to counter what they perceive as hostility toward Jewish people. The Lions of Zion previously organized similar events but this marks the first celebration specifically linked to the controversial military operations.
Critics, including Gamel Kheir, secretary of the Lebanese Muslim Association, have raised alarms about the event’s implications for social cohesion in Australia. Kheir stated, “What they’re celebrating was the massacre of innocent people,” calling for widespread condemnation of the event.
Responses have also emerged from within the Jewish community. Sarah Schwartz from the Jewish Council of Australia expressed concern that engaging children in “militarised discourse” could foster divisive ideologies. She urged political leaders to address the event publicly, emphasizing the need for a united stance against racism and violence.
As of now, the event remains scheduled, and local law enforcement, including Victoria Police, has indicated that it is monitoring the situation for potential safety risks. The community continues to grapple with the impact of such celebrations, particularly in the context of ongoing violence and tensions in the Middle East.
