JCPA Statement on Antisemitic Mass Shooting at Australia Hanukkah Event

“As Jews prepare to celebrate what should be a joyous holiday — one in which we consider how to drive out darkness and bring light to the world in the face of hatred and oppression — we instead woke up to news of another antisemitic mass shooting, at a Hanukkah event in Australia. It follows years of increasing hate crimes and extremism targeting Jewish people and institutions in Australia and around the globe.

Our hearts are shattered for those murdered and injured, all those impacted, and the entire Australian Jewish community.

And we are angry: That Jews around the world are now beginning Hanukkah fearful of showing up and celebrating. That after years of us sounding the alarm about the crisis of antisemitism, our leaders and our society have still failed to truly recognize and effectively address this threat. That too many loud voices seek to politicize and exploit our real, legitimate fears — rather than taking the comprehensive, whole-of-society action necessary to keep us safe.

Antisemitism doesn’t just threaten Jews, although that alone should be enough to spur action. It threatens each and every community and the very fabric of our society. 

Until this crisis is treated with the seriousness and urgency it deserves, none of us will be safe. 

We need leaders across society to speak out and stand with the Jewish community in meaningful ways rather than excusing antisemitism. We need social media platforms and others to recognize that rhetoric has real-world consequences and act accordingly. We need to build broad coalitions to root out this hate rather than allowing it to be weaponized to advance political agendas.

Together, we must work to build a world in which Jews and all people can celebrate their faith and their identities without fear of violence.”