GEN WA Liberal Leader Libby Mettam on the WA Liberals’ antisemitism announcement. with Steve Martin, Shadow Treasurer and Michelle Sutherland, Liberal Candidate for Mount Lawley at the JHUB Maccabi Community Centre, Yokine. Libby Metttam and Steve Lieblich.
URGENT UPDATE: Jewish leaders in Western Australia are demanding immediate action from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in light of rising anti-Semitism following the tragic attack at Bondi Beach last month. In a heartfelt letter sent on October 7, 2023, the Jewish Community Council of WA, led by vice-president Steve Lieblich and president Michael Levitt, expressed their fears, stating, “Prime Minister, we’re afraid.”
The letter emphasizes a growing concern within the Jewish community, as they draw chilling parallels to the experiences of their ancestors in **1930s Europe**. “Will we and our loved ones continue to be targeted like this?” they wrote, urging the Prime Minister to call a royal commission into anti-Semitism and radicalization in Australia.
Currently, Albanese has supported a New South Wales royal commission but has yet to commit to a nationwide inquiry. Instead, he has initiated a review of federal security actions, led by former spy chief Dennis Richardson. However, this response has been deemed insufficient by numerous community leaders who insist that a thorough investigation into the root causes of anti-Semitism is urgently needed.
WA Premier Roger Cook revealed this week that his government is considering several measures to enhance safety for West Australians. “We will continue to look at what we need to do — taking advice from police on these matters,” Cook stated, indicating that they are examining the measures implemented by the Minns Government in NSW, which include expanded police powers to manage protests and symbols associated with terrorist organizations.
In their letter, Lieblich and Levitt criticized the Richardson inquiry as a “misguided attempt” to address mere symptoms rather than the underlying issues of anti-Semitism. They called for a federal royal commission that possesses the authority to compel evidence and thoroughly investigate the causes of this concerning trend. “Australians are demanding an exhaustive inquiry. It is time for you to listen,” they urged.
While Cook has not backed a national royal commission, he acknowledged Albanese’s leadership in navigating the crisis. “The Prime Minister has shown great leadership in a time when Australia is traumatized by the dreadful events at Bondi,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, WA Liberal senator Dean Smith, who is also part of the Holocaust Institute of WA, stated that a royal commission is essential for national interest. “Only a full and thorough inquiry can honor the lives lost in the Bondi attack and ensure Australia is better placed to avoid future acts of anti-Semitic violence,” he affirmed.
WA Opposition leader Basil Zempilas echoed these sentiments, calling for Albanese to take definitive action. “The worst terrorist attack on Australian soil happened on his watch. Real leadership would be listening to the people and calling a royal commission,” he said.
The urgency for a comprehensive response to anti-Semitism in Australia has never been more critical. Jewish leaders and community members are urging the Prime Minister to act decisively to protect their rights and ensure their safety. The demand for a royal commission reflects a broader call for justice and security in the wake of increasing violence and hate.
As the situation develops, all eyes are on Prime Minister Albanese and the federal government to see if they will heed the calls for a thorough investigation into the alarming rise of anti-Semitism in Australia.
