Steph Hodgins-May (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

HODGINS-MAY () (): Today I would like to read out a statement from Jewish Voices for Humanity, a group from my home city of Naarm/Melbourne:

We are Jewish Victorians deeply concerned about Israel's systematic oppression of Palestinians, culminating in the current genocide and forced starvation in Gaza.

Many of us are descendants of Holocaust survivors; all of us carry its legacy. We understand genocide. What Israel is doing in Palestine—mass killing, starvation and displacement, destruction of civilian infrastructure, and denial of aid—is indefensible. These are crimes against humanity and genocide.

"Never Again" is a core Jewish value born of the Holocaust. It must apply to everyone. Never Again is Never Again for anyone.

Standing up for Palestinian rights is not antisemitic. We believe Palestinian safety is inextricably linked to our own.

We reject the conflation of antisemitism with criticism of Israel and Zionism.

The weaponisation of antisemitism is dangerous, whether through stifling support for Palestinians or critique of Israel. Genuine antisemitism must be addressed alongside all other forms of racism. True safety will only come from justice, and a society where everyone has equal Rights. A just resolution and equal rights for Palestinians are cornerstones of social cohesion.

We call on the Australian government to ACT NOW to stop the genocide in Gaza. Words are not enough.

We must:

There is much more Australia can and must do. As Jews, as your constituents, with all our hearts we urge you: don't turn away. Act now … If we don't act, we leave a terrible legacy for future generations, and history will judge us harshly.