Israel: Australia responds, Israel appeals for blood donors,support from Europe, woman talks from Kibbutz Nirim
Leaders of the Jewish Australian community have responded to the breakout of hostilities between Israel and Hamas.
The Zionist Federation of Australia:
ZFA Director of Public Affairs Bren Carlill said, “This is an appalling, unprovoked attack that breaches all norms. Hamas is firing rockets at cities and villages. It is shooting civilians in cold blood in their homes. It is taking hostages, including elderly women, and parading the bodies of its victims through the streets. These crimes against humanity reveal not just the tactics of Hamas but the depravity of the movement and its real agenda – an agenda of murder, of genocide.”
Dr Carlill added, “We stand with Israel’s right and duty to defend itself and its citizens.”
The Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council:
(While we would normally refrain from making any statement on a Jewish holiday, we feel that we cannot remain silent in the face of the appalling, widespread attacks taking place in Israel, and an exception had to be made.)
The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) unequivocally condemned the vicious and unprovoked surprise coordinated armed attacks on Israel by the terrorist group Hamas today and expressed solidarity with the people of Israel.
Starting shortly after 6.30am local time, Hamas terrorists in Gaza subjected the centre and south of Israel, including areas around Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, to a constant barrage of intense rocket fire.
Shortly after the barrage commenced, groups of Hamas terrorists infiltrated the Gaza border in various places, entering Israeli towns and kibbutzim, and there are reports of numerous casualties and hostages.
AIJAC Executive Director Dr Colin Rubenstein said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Israel, as they resist this barbaric and unprovoked attack, on a Jewish holy day. Our deepest sympathies go to the families of those murdered by Hamas. We fervently hope the attackers will be speedily repelled and for the safe return of all hostages and a speedy recovery for those wounded.”
Dr Rubenstein rejected claims by Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif that the attack was related to “the desecration of the al-Aqsa Mosque” and described this as a “feeble pretext”, saying the real reason is far more likely to be Hamas’ concern at progress being made in peace talks between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
“Any prospect of peace is anathema to Hamas and the rogue Iranian regime which sponsors, arms and directs it.
“This indiscriminate, targeting of Israeli civilians with rocket fire, and by squads of armed terrorists is a blatant war crime, with no justification whatsoever.
“We trust that the international community will unreservedly condemn this brutal act of wanton terrorism against Israeli civilians by Hamas, and will fully support Israel’s right to defend itself and its citizens,” Dr Rubenstein added.
Executive Council of Australian Jewry :
Co-CEO Alex Ryvchin said: “The Executive Council of Australian Jewry, the peak national representative body of the Australian Jewish community, condemns in the strongest terms the premeditated, unprovoked attack from the air and on the ground on sovereign Israeli territory by Hamas terrorists.
In addition to a massive rocket barrage targeting Israel’s metropolitan areas, Hamas forces have infiltrated into Israel with the clear aim of murdering civilians and taking hostages. At present, there are 6 confirmed fatalities and dozens seriously wounded amid reports of atrocities including shootings of civilians and abductions.
These acts constitute egregious war crimes in their targeting of civilians and are an armed attack against a sovereign state. We expect the State of Israel to take all necessary measures to defend itself and to defeat the terror forces of Hamas and restore peace for Israel’s citizens.
We call upon the Australian Government to condemn without equivocation these flagrant crimes. Any calls for de-escalation by “both sides” or attempts to draw equivalences between the crimes of a terrorist organisation and the defensive measures of a sovereign and democratic state are misconceived and only play into the hands of the terrorists.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Israel at this time.”
The Progressive Movement of Australia including the Union of Progressive Judaism, ARZA Australia, the Assembly of Rabbis and Cantors of Australia, New Zealand and Asia, and Netzer Australia have declared their strong support for the people of Israel as they face an unprecedented attack by Hamas on a holy day for Jews.
On the anniversary of the Yom Kippur War, terrorists have fired over 2,000 rockets at Israel and initiated a land attack, targeting civilians.
Israelis across the country have been forced into bomb shelters, and communities are fighting to protect their families.
We stand with Israel, its citizens and the Israel Defence Forces. We pray for a swift resolution to the unprovoked aggression.
Throughout Israel, citizens are being asked to donate blood, as over 500 Israelis were injured by at least 5,000 missiles fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel.
At Sheba Medical Center outside of Tel Aviv, hospital officials set up temporary blood banks inside the hospital and appealed for donors to come forward.
“Two fundraising sites were opened…..The center appeals to visitors who are currently in the hospital and residents from the area who can arrive while adhering to the protection guidelines,” said Sheba.
At Ichilov Medical Center in Tel Aviv, it was announced that a Magen David Adom donation station had been set up inside the center.
However, after being overwhelmed by the public response, the center has suspended operations and is only asking for donors with type O blood.
In an announcement from Magen David Adom, officials said blood donor sites have also been opened in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, Tiberias, and Kiryat Motzkin.
EU leaders voice support For Israel, condemnation of Hamas following attacks
Rocket launched from Gaza at 10:29pm AEST
An outpouring of support for Israel and condemnation of the Hamas terror group has been voiced by European leaders following the outbreak of fighting today.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock blamed “the intensification of violence,” on Hamas, adding that Israel “has our full solidarity” and “the right, guaranteed by international law, to defend itself against terrorism.”
In France, President Emmanuel Macron said his country expresses “full solidarity with Israel and the victims” and underscored “its absolute rejection of terrorism and its commitment to Israel’s security.” He also “firmly condemns” the attacks by Hamas.
Officials in Italy also backed “Israel’s right to defend itself” against Hamas’ “brutal attack.”
Meanwhile, British foreign minister James Cleverly said he condemned the “horrific attacks” and acknowledged Israel’s right to self-defence.
Additionally, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte posted, “Appalling images from Israel. Terror organization Hamas is waging an unprecedented attack on Israel… This violence must stop; Israel has every right to defend itself.”
Spain noted that it is “shocked by the indiscriminate violence” of the attacks on Israel, and Ukraine and the Czech Republic said they support Israel’s right to defend itself.
[8:42 pm, 07/10/2023] +972 52-216-4234: Right now: a house in Kibbutz Nirim. Terrorists are still outside the house, having failed to enter it.
