From Qatar to the Gold Coast

Qatar is a small country with a tiny population of less than 400,000 citizens, but with immense wealth and an ideology that drives it.

Whilst the Israelis see Qatar as strongly supportive of Hamas in numerous ways, the Americans, as President Trump puts it, see Qatar as a “great ally,” and warn Israel to be “very, very careful” about how it handles Qatar.

The families of the hostages and the Americans want to believe that Qatar is an impartial broker in negotiations with Hamas, or even perhaps the only broker, whilst most in the Israeli leadership believe that Qatar is playing a double game.

Israel has successfully taken out leadership figures in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Iran. For the first time earlier this month, Israel attempted to do so in Qatar.

In some ways, without drawing too long a bow, it was reminiscent of the botched attempt by Israel in September 1997, 28 years ago, to kill Hamas’ political leader.

The Prime Minister at the time was Benjamin Netanyahu, and the Hamas target was Khaled Mashaal.

Irony abounds.

The Jordanians were outraged that this took place on their soil, Israel was diplomatically damaged, and the fallout lasted quite some time.

This time, it appears that the Doha attack was not as successful as Israel had initially hoped and depending on what develops, it may or may not backfire.

As a Jerusalem Post editorial wrote, “Israel’s airstrike on senior Hamas leaders in Doha, Qatar, was backed by a mix of support and dread among Israeli officials. But it came at a fierce diplomatic cost that may not be restored. What looked like tactical success has left Israel bruised strategically, alarming allies, alienating partners, and setting back fragile progress toward an endgame.”

President Trump sent mixed signals, strongly criticising Israel’s attack in Doha, whilst saying that he understood the benefit of targeting Hamas.

Be that as it may, Trump had the United States join a unanimous statement by the UN Security Council condemning the attack taking place in Qatar, without actually mentioning Israel.

Meanwhile, Qatar now leads powerful forces to “punish” Israel and to further isolate it diplomatically and economically.

As Marco Rubio was leaving Israel on his way to Qatar, he said: “We have a close partnership with the Qataris. In fact, we have an enhanced defense cooperation agreement, which we’ve been working on, we’re on the verge of finalising.”

At the same time, Trump criticised Hamas once again, significantly deepening his threats against them.

Just like in 1997, it feels as if the momentum has shifted, and much will depend on what the United States does after Trump and Rubio have already promised, on Israel’s behalf, whether before or after consultation, that no attack would happen again on Qatari soil.

As Israel’s military successes multiply, and a possible deal with Syria runs around the rumour mills, it is increasingly isolated on the world stage.

Netanyahu himself dramatically characterised Israel’s future as ‘Sparta,’ describing this growing isolation by warning of China’s meddling, Qatar’s wealth, and the changing European demographics.

With so much uncertainty on one level, the Israeli people continue to be the real heroes of our times. Their resilience, service and commitment to life, is the real hope for the future.

Here in Australia, as we approach Rosh Hashanah, we too should reflect on our situation.

Yes, antisemitism is palpable and widespread.

However, this is a wonderful Jewish community that has fought back and shown its own resilience. Whether via the traditional communal roof bodies and organisations, or the numerous individual and grassroots initiatives that are simply amazing.

Just one example, one more brick in the wall, in my case, is the privilege it has been to be associated as a board and organising committee member with the CAM (Combat Antisemitism Movement) conference held on the Gold Coast from the 3^rd to the 5^th of September.

Getting out of the echo chamber of the Jewish community and holding a sellout conference, which even had a waiting list, of mayors and councillors from all over Australia. Local leaders, who came together, despite enormous pressure from segments of political and various lobby groups to not attend.

The level of misinformation, vitriol, and threats that were levelled at attendees to dissuade them from attending the conference bordered on the hysterical.

But they came. Over 300 people, more than 75% non-Jewish

The program itself was wide-ranging and engaging.

From Nova Peris, to ex neo–Nazi Jeff Schoep (who previously headed the largest neo-Nazi movement in the United States for 25 years), to Mubin Shaikh (an ex-Islamist who spent time with the Taliban and lived in Syria for 2 years).

From Charles Small, an expert on Qatar’s influence on Western institutions, to Michal Cotler Wunsch and Jill Segal, respectively, antisemitism envoys of the Israeli and Australian governments.

From the host of the event, the wonderful Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate, to Zann Maxwell (deputy Lord Mayor of Sydney), to Sharon Cadwallader (the Mayor of Ballina).

And so the list went on.

The feedback made it all worthwhile. As one northern NSW mayor wrote, “Thanks go to the organisers, sponsors and speakers. In my over 20 years of representing the community as a councillor, attending conferences, I can honestly say I have never attended such an insightful meaningful conference.”

It may seem obvious to members of the Jewish community, who live with the corrosiveness of antisemitism every day, but in most LGA areas there are simply no Jews and the extent and depth of antisemitism is not necessarily fully understood or appreciated.

The conference focused on extremism and the dangers that antisemitism holds for all of Australia, the cancerous effect antisemitism has on Australia as a whole, that Jews are merely the canaries in the coalmine and that antisemitism corrodes social cohesion and harmonious life for all of Australia.

Participants gained a clear understanding of practical strategies and programs to fight antisemitism and a clear understanding of the IHRA (International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance) definition of antisemitism and the true meaning of it.

Amongst the material handed out, was the book ‘Ruptured’, published by the Lamm library. A collection of individual stories by 36 women on how life in Australia changed for them post October 7.

From the general targeting of the Jewish community, to the personal.

Israel and the Jewish diaspora will meet the challenges head-on, and we will win.

Despite the noise around us, we have many friends and are not alone.

Ron Weiser is the Honorary Life Member ZFA Executive and Honorary Life President, ZC of NSW