Authorities in Australia are facing a challenge with the increasing antisemitism in the country. Jews worldwide are being advised to exercise extreme caution when traveling to Australia following the firebombing of a synagogue in Melbourne. The Simon Wiesenthal Center, based in the U.S., issued a travel advisory due to what they perceive as a lack of action by Australian authorities against antisemitism. They highlighted issues such as demonization, harassment, and violence against Jews and Jewish institutions.
Rabbi Abraham Cooper conveyed this decision to Australian Ambassador Kevin Rudd in a letter. The center warned Jews traveling to Australia to be cautious as they do not believe that Jews are safe due to the authorities’ failure to protect Jewish communities from increasing hostility and violence.
Rabbi Cooper mentioned that in recent years, Jews worldwide have been targeted by various groups, including Islamists and extremists. He pointed out that this trend unfortunately includes the Jewish communities in Australia. The attack on the synagogue in Melbourne followed Australia’s recent vote at the U.N. General Assembly on a resolution concerning Israel.
The travel warning from the Simon Wiesenthal Center has prompted responses from political figures in Australia. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton acknowledged the tarnished reputation Australia has with the Jewish community and the concerns expressed by Jewish individuals about their safety in the country.
Jewish Labor MP Josh Burns also commented on the situation, acknowledging the impact of the terrorism declaration on the travel advice. He expressed hope for a resolution to address the issue of antisemitism in Australia.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited the synagogue in Melbourne following the arson attack and pledged to assist in restoring the damaged property. He labeled the attack as an act of terrorism and emphasized the need for unity in the country.
The firebombing incident has been transferred to the Victorian joint counter-terrorism team for investigation, with Deputy Commissioner Krissy Barrett declaring it a terrorism investigation. The federal government announced a special operation to combat antisemitism, emphasizing the importance of collaboration across government agencies and communities in addressing this issue.
Please rewrite the following sentence.
Source link
