Israel is not alone
Support continues to be voiced for Israel from across the world.
Statement by Israel’s President Isaac Herzog:
Israeli President Isaac Herzog addresses the nation on March 15, 2023. Source: YouTube.
“Today we saw the true face of Hamas. A terrorist army whose only goal is the cold-blooded murder of innocent men, women, and children. Supported and directed by their proxy commanders in Iran, they carried out an unprovoked, heinous attack against the Jewish state on a Jewish holy day. Innocent civilians were massacred and wounded, and many are still under attack.
The State of Israel will take all measures necessary to eliminate this clear and immediate danger to our citizens. Israel will overcome in the face of all challenges.
I call upon the family of nations – this war waged against us marks a line in the sand. Now is the time to hear clear, unequivocal condemnation of Hamas, its allies, and its backers in Iran. Now is the time to stand firm with Israel in support of its just and moral battle in the face of an abhorrent enemy.”
ADL and J7 Communities
As the leaders of the largest Jewish diaspora communities, we say in a single voice: We stand with Israel as it defends itself against the war launched by the Iranian-backed terrorist organization Hamas. The targeting, murder and kidnapping of Israeli civilians by Palestinian terrorists, and firing of thousands of rockets into Israeli cities and towns, are clear war crimes that must be universally denounced, just as Israel’s right to defend itself must be universally supported.
We thank the many governments that have made such statements, and call on responsible members of the international community to take concrete actions both in support of Israel and against those who support the Palestinian terrorists. We call on the international community to immediately demand that Hamas release all hostages, and urge world bodies such as the United Nations to act without delay to ensure that Israeli hostages are safely returned to their families. We extend our condolences to those in Israel whose family members have been murdered and wish a speedy recovery to all the wounded.
Amb. Ronald S. Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress
Ronald S. Lauder
“As President of the World Jewish Congress, representing over one hundred Jewish communities globally, I vehemently denounce the heinous terrorist onslaught against the State of Israel.
“Now, more than ever, it is imperative for us to stand as one – unified and resolute – to bolster the success of the IDF and the State of Israel during this conflict unjustly thrust upon us on Simchat Torah. Let it be known, unequivocally, that the entire Jewish diaspora stands in unwavering support of Israel and its valiant security forces during these challenging times.
“In unity lies our indomitable strength.”
The New Zealand Jewish Council expressed its deepest distress at the unfolding co-ordinated mass terrorist events in Israel, after operatives from Hamas (the terrorist organisation that controls Gaza) infiltrated Israel by sea, air and land. So far there have been over 300 Israeli deaths, over 1500 injured, and unknown numbers taken hostage in Israel and Gaza.
The images of Hamas gunmen going door to door in search of Jews and parading their bloodied bodies through the streets of Gaza, as Jews around the world celebrate the festival of Simchat Torah, evoke memories of pogroms embedded in the Jewish consciousness. The Jewish community here is reeling and our members are in close contact with our loved ones in Israel and have grave concern for some of them. We mourn the mounting loss of life and pray for the well-being of those injured and taken hostage.
We are grateful for the heartfelt support and moral clarity from the very many Kiwis who we have heard from.
Dr Michael Easson is a 50-year veteran of the Australian Labor Party who recently spoke at the national ALP Conference in support of Israel and peace.
Michael Easson
He writes: “Woke up to quickly scan more reports. Absolute disaster. Failure of intelligence. Savagery by Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Get the sick feeling that far more than 250 Israelis murdered. The hostage taking is chilling.
So much for the blockade of Gaza
The Iranians send tens of thousands of rockets for the extremists to use. That’s the only priority. Humanitarian aid be damned, from Tehran’s cynical perspective. That’s another stark truth from what we are seeing. The ordinary folk of Gaza are pawns in the game plans of the theocratic Islamic Republic of Iran.
For now, we are all Israelis and need to defend Israel in every quarter. A test for the world and all political figures, Australia and elsewhere. Just as a policy of even-handedness with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is appalling, so too here — a lack of moral clarity.
Israel really has to unite after this.
Surely, Bibi knows this. Encouraging that Lapid & Gantz offered National Unity government. Former PM Naftali Bennet reported to his reserve unit.
Let’s hope and pray Smotrich & Ben-Gvir have the wisdom to see what needs to be recast too.”
David Ossip
The JBD has been in close contact with political and community leaders since Hamas launched its unprovoked attack yesterday. We have also been speaking with the media and objecting to any coverage which does not fully and correctly convey the evil and barbarity of Hamas and its war crimes.
CSG continues to monitor the local security situation closely and will allocate the required resources to keep our local community safe.
To continue to monitor our response, please follow the JBD’s accounts on Facebook and Instagram, where the JBD is posting regularly.
For those of you who wish to join with our local community today in solidarity and prayer, we encourage you to attend Shul services for Simchat Torah. If you do not have a regular Shul, please feel free to attend your closest Shul.
We mourn the Israeli lives lost, pray for the welfare of all Israelis currently being held in captivity and hope for a swift recovery for all those who have been wounded.
We stand with Israel and her citizens.
Julian Leeser
Australia must be a consistent and steadfast friend of Israel. Our values should demand nothing less.
George Foster, President of the Australian Association of Jewish Holocaust Survivors and Descendants
Dr George Foster, President of the Australian Association of Jewish Holocaust Survivors & Descendants
I would not usually write to you while it is still Simchat Torah, however, we are experiencing exceptional circumstances at this time with Israel under attack. We deplore the shameful and inexcusable actions of Hamas who have fired indiscriminately at and murdered innocent civilians and taken hostages. Holocaust survivors are amongst the injured and dead. We grieve with the families of all those who have suffered in this conflict.
Survivors and their families are well aware of the fear and distress that actions such as this cause. It brings back painful and disturbing memories of traumatic events which we all had hoped would never occur again. We hope and pray that hostilities will come to a speedy conclusion, that Israel will emerge victorious and stronger and that a peaceful solution will be found.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who have families and friends in Israel. We hope that your loved ones will be safe.
Israel is a legitimate, democratic nation state created by the auspices of the United Nations. It has the moral, legal and political right to expect its neighbors to live in peace with Israel. Israel has the right of self defense and no other democracy would tolerate for a moment the attacks loosed on the country by Hamas. Barbarism must be condemned by all nations and all civilized people. David Clark, Adelaide South Australia