The coming week, from 2nd to 3rd March, marks the Jewish festival of Purim. Purim commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people from an evil plot to destroy them, as documented in the Book of Esther. Purim is usually a joyful celebration with costumes, desserts and reading the Megillah. But in the wake of the Bondi Beach tragedy, this year’s Purim carries a deeper, more sombre significance.
The story centres on a Jewish orphan girl living in the Persian diaspora. Through a series of seemingly coincidental yet divinely orchestrated events, she is chosen by the Persian King to become Queen Esther.
At her cousin Mordecai’s urging, Esther intervenes after the King’s advisor, Haman, convinces him to issue a decree to destroy the Jews. Esther courageously approaches the King at risk of her own life to deliver her people.
This was precipitated by Mordecai’s famous exhortation to Esther: “Do not think to yourself that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:13-14).
I quoted that line “For such a time as this” at the launch of the Australia-Israel Allies Caucus last year, which I Chair, highlighting the critical and timely role of the Caucus in confronting Australia’s own antisemitism crisis:
“Australia is facing an antisemitism crisis, and it is incumbent upon all Australians – and especially those elected to lead the country – that we stand up, speak up, and show up for Israel and the Jewish people. The world is watching – allies and competitors alike. We must have each other’s backs in the fight against antisemitism. The Australia-Israel Allies Caucus exists for such a time as this, by uniting political leaders in the cause of combatting antisemitism and to advance the Australia-Israel relationship”.
The Bondi terrorist attack tragically reinforced that the work of the Caucus has never been more pressing in Australia. It indeed exists “for such a time as this”. But as we move forward with this work, there are many more critical lessons to be drawn from the story of Esther.
Mordecai played a vital role in warning Esther about the impending danger. However, in the lead up to Bondi, there was no shortage of Mordecais. Jewish leaders, intelligence agencies, the Coalition, and many others repeatedly warned that tragedy could strike if the government did not take serious action against antisemitism.
The real issue, in the end, was not a lack of Mordecais but a lack of Esthers – leaders with the courage to act on these warnings and do what was right, not what was politically or electorally convenient.
Esther understood that approaching the King without first being summoned could result in her death. But she acted anyway, choosing principle over self-preservation, famously declaring “If I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16). Esther knew, as Mordecai had warned her, that there were consequences for those who remained silent when Jewish people were in peril. Indifference was not going to cut it; active initiative was required. Even then, it was understood that the Jewish people were the “canary in the coal mine”.
This is the kind of leadership and courage that has been desperately needed since October 7, 2023. The government has now established a Royal Commission, prompted by pressure from all sectors of society, but it should not have taken the Bondi attack to spur action. It should not have taken the loss of 15 lives to do what was right. And it should not have taken the Prime Minister 25 days of unjustifiable delay and obfuscation to be dragged kicking and screaming to finally agree to one.
There is, however, still much more work to do. This was underscored by President Herzog’s recent visit, which was met with protests, even from within our national and provincial parliaments – a display of remarkable disrespect toward a Jewish community still in mourning. I am saddened that so many have yet to learn the lessons of Bondi, particularly the role of anti-Israel hatred in fostering an unsafe environment for Jewish Australians. Too often anti-Zionism is used as a “politically correct” fig leaf for antisemitism.
Esther’s Blueprint for Combatting Antisemitism in Australia
By: Andrew Wallace MP
The coming week, from 2nd to 3rd March, marks the Jewish festival of Purim. Purim commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people from an evil plot to destroy them, as documented in the Book of Esther. Purim is usually a joyful celebration with costumes, desserts and reading the Megillah. But in the wake of the Bondi Beach tragedy, this year’s Purim carries a deeper, more sombre significance.
The story centres on a Jewish orphan girl living in the Persian diaspora. Through a series of seemingly coincidental yet divinely orchestrated events, she is chosen by the Persian King to become Queen Esther.
At her cousin Mordecai’s urging, Esther intervenes after the King’s advisor, Haman, convinces him to issue a decree to destroy the Jews. Esther courageously approaches the King at risk of her own life to deliver her people.
This was precipitated by Mordecai’s famous exhortation to Esther: “Do not think to yourself that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:13-14).
I quoted that line “For such a time as this” at the launch of the Australia-Israel Allies Caucus last year, which I Chair, highlighting the critical and timely role of the Caucus in confronting Australia’s own antisemitism crisis:
“Australia is facing an antisemitism crisis, and it is incumbent upon all Australians – and especially those elected to lead the country – that we stand up, speak up, and show up for Israel and the Jewish people. The world is watching – allies and competitors alike. We must have each other’s backs in the fight against antisemitism. The Australia-Israel Allies Caucus exists for such a time as this, by uniting political leaders in the cause of combatting antisemitism and to advance the Australia-Israel relationship”.
The Bondi terrorist attack tragically reinforced that the work of the Caucus has never been more pressing in Australia. It indeed exists “for such a time as this”. But as we move forward with this work, there are many more critical lessons to be drawn from the story of Esther.
Mordecai played a vital role in warning Esther about the impending danger. However, in the lead up to Bondi, there was no shortage of Mordecais. Jewish leaders, intelligence agencies, the Coalition, and many others repeatedly warned that tragedy could strike if the government did not take serious action against antisemitism.
The real issue, in the end, was not a lack of Mordecais but a lack of Esthers – leaders with the courage to act on these warnings and do what was right, not what was politically or electorally convenient.
Esther understood that approaching the King without first being summoned could result in her death. But she acted anyway, choosing principle over self-preservation, famously declaring “If I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16). Esther knew, as Mordecai had warned her, that there were consequences for those who remained silent when Jewish people were in peril. Indifference was not going to cut it; active initiative was required. Even then, it was understood that the Jewish people were the “canary in the coal mine”.
This is the kind of leadership and courage that has been desperately needed since October 7, 2023. The government has now established a Royal Commission, prompted by pressure from all sectors of society, but it should not have taken the Bondi attack to spur action. It should not have taken the loss of 15 lives to do what was right. And it should not have taken the Prime Minister 25 days of unjustifiable delay and obfuscation to be dragged kicking and screaming to finally agree to one.
There is, however, still much more work to do. This was underscored by President Herzog’s recent visit, which was met with protests, even from within our national and provincial parliaments – a display of remarkable disrespect toward a Jewish community still in mourning. I am saddened that so many have yet to learn the lessons of Bondi, particularly the role of anti-Israel hatred in fostering an unsafe environment for Jewish Australians. Too often anti-Zionism is used as a “politically correct” fig leaf for antisemitism.
Change is needed across all sectors of society, and strong, moral clarity from leadership is critical, following the example of Esther. In the coming year, the Caucus will continue bringing together members of parliament from across the country and faith leaders to act collectively against antisemitism, build bridges and educate our respective communities.
Australians need to understand not only the issue of antisemitism, but also the inspiring story of Israel – a nation reborn against all odds, and a democratic haven amongst a sea of dictatorships.
We also have significant work ahead in repairing the relationship between Australia and Israel, which the Albanese Government has single-handedly trashed. We must build on our strong people-to-people ties, democratic values and shared Judeo-Christian heritage. Both nations suffer when divided, and we need each other to end the scourge of antisemitism.
But all of us have a role to play, not just those in Parliament. Esther was a humble orphan girl, yet she is a testament to the fact that God can use anyone. He especially expects people of faith to step up.
In my condolence speech in Parliament for the Bondi terrorist attack, I read the famous words of Christian pastor Martin Niemöller, a confession that is more relevant today than ever:
“First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out because I am not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out because I am not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out because I am not a Jew.
Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak for me.”
This is not just a slogan. It is a prescient warning delivered 80 years ago about the cost of silence and inaction. Niemöller regretted not speaking up for the Jewish people during the Holocaust. He came to learn that antisemitism begins with the Jews but never ends with the Jews. We cannot repeat that same mistake.
All Australians, especially Christians, have a duty to stand against antisemitism. The story of Esther offers us the blueprint. This is a time for courage, not silence. We were all born for such a time as this, and we have a responsibility to act.
Andrew Wallace MP is the Federal Member for Fisher and Chair of the Australia-Israel Allies Caucus.
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