Antisemitism

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS (Black—Leader of the Opposition) (14:08): My question is again to the Premier. Has the Premier had feedback from South Australians concerned about increasing acts of antisemitism in schools, university campuses and the community, and what action has the government taken to address this?

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Premier) (14:09): I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question—again, an important subject. There is no doubt that antisemitism exists within our community. It is intolerable. It should be called out at every opportunity, and that is particularly true for people who are blessed with the opportunity to work in this place. We have a particular responsibility to demonstrate that at the highest levels of government and our parliaments we reject antisemitism in all its forms.

We have seen evidence of antisemitism, of course, well before 7 October last year. I acknowledge that a number of people in this place have been particularly enthusiastic about wanting to see reforms around where we see Nazi symbols or other gestures that align themselves with extreme forms of Nazi-type behaviour. We reject it, we abhor it and we stand up against it. Since 7 October, we have also seen antisemitism present itself in the context of the events that have occurred in and around the Middle East, in Gaza in particular. Our position regarding that behaviour is no different to what was the case prior to 7 October.

Can I also take the opportunity to say this: we should also acknowledge that antisemitism isn't the only form of racism. There is also Islamophobia within our community, and I don't think anyone would suggest for a moment that Islamophobia is less offensive than antisemitism. There is no place for anybody being diminished on the basis of their faith or their culture, their colour or their creed, and we call that out too.

The tragic events in Gaza and Israel that have occurred over the course of the last few months have shocked us all and have heightened tensions in elements of the community. On one level, that is human. We saw an unprovoked attack against innocent Israelis, including children, and over 1,000 people lost their lives. Any member of the Jewish or Israeli community anywhere in the world would be right to be emotional about that, upset and angry about that.

Similarly, we have now seen over 30,000 people killed in Gaza, often innocent people, at the hands of the IDF post 7 October. We have seen schools destroyed, hospitals obliterated, women and children lose their lives. That in turn has understandably resulted in the Islamic community being desperately concerned about the plight of their brothers and sisters, and they too are right to be angry and upset about that.

That cauldron of tension is something that we should recognise and seek to understand, but we should also remember this: first and foremost, everyone in this country is Australian, whether they have citizenship or not. This nation has afforded so many people a home which is peaceful and prosperous and safe, to be able to demonstrate, to be able to exercise their own political views. We should continue to appreciate that.

I would actively encourage the members of the Jewish and Israeli community, and the Palestinian community and the Islamic community, to continue to advocate their cause but to do it with peace at the forefront of their minds and, on occasions where they can find the opportunity to do so, show compassion to others, including those on the other side of the debate, because if we are able to achieve that then hopefully Australia and South Australia can make a positive contribution to the sense of tension that exists around the issue more broadly.