“We are approaching two very important commemorations – Australia Day on January 26 and International 
Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27. The latter is particularly significant as it is the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau Nazi concentration camp,” said Norman and Barbara Miller, Cofounders of Indigenous Friends of Israel International.
“We do this at a time when our nation is facing a crisis of social cohesion, the lack of moral clarity and will to act of our government, and forces that would gladly tear the fabric of our society apart.
“Cultural Marxists who jump on every bandwagon including Indigenous rights and the rise of antisemitism since October 7, Islamo-fascists and neo Nazis – all unlikely bedfellows, have been on the streets every weekend for 15 months now ripping up the peace and safety of Jewish Australians and holding all Australians to ransom.
“It has to stop and stop now. The national cabinet finally met over 12 months too late and shamefully only came up with a national database on antisemitism which already exists. We applaud the belated but robust efforts of NSW Premier Chris Minns and NSW police to get on top of this with 10 arrests to date for the numerous acts of antisemitism in NSW.
“Prime Minister Albanese was finally dragged over the line to hold the national cabinet after the firebombing of a childcare centre in Sydney and to set up the Avalite police task force to deal with antisemitism after the Adass Israel synagogue firebombing in Melbourne which burned while he played tennis.
“It was finally announced today that Deputy Police Commissioners from the states would meet monthly to deal with antisemitism, presumably with the AFP.
“We are allowing government-funded programs to trash the heritage and legacy of our nation and challenge Australian values. Also, the Victorian government has cancelled the Australia Day parade and handed over Melbourne to pro-Palestinian/Invasion Day marches.
“Outrageously, QUT’s anti racism conference 22-24 January leading up to Invasion Day on 26 January had a list of anti-Israel speakers peddling antisemitism. One offensive image, which appeared in a presentation by Sarah Schwartz of the anti-Zionist Jewish Council of Australia, featured a caricature labelled “Dutton’s Jew,” maligning both Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Jewish people. The slide included a list of racist stereotypes.
“ECAJ President Daniel Aghion KC reported it to the Parliamentary Human Rights Inquiry into Antisemitism at Australian universities. He condemned the display, “The image is clearly intended to stigmatize as evil and racist any Jewish person who might support the Coalition. It is ironic that such an obvious and disgraceful racist trope has been used at an event that billed itself as an anti-racism symposium.”
“Australia Day is an opportunity to show the best of our nation though we know it’s not perfect and to enjoy and celebrate living in one of the best nations on earth. It is not a time to divide the nation or to vilify any group of Australians. We value our Indigenous heritage, say sorry when we need to and make amends where we can. We also value the nation of immigrants that we have become leading to the rich tapestry of our nation.
“Also, remember our armed forces who have made Australia a safe nation and who contributed to a safe haven for Jewish people in their ancient homeland of Israel in two world wars. Shamefully, our policies on Israel have trashed our relationship with our ally, Israel, the only democratic nation in the Middle East.
“As we remember the six million Jews and many others slaughtered by the Nazi Holocaust and their liberation from the concentration camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau 80 years ago on January 27, we call on the Australian government not to send Foreign Minister Penny Wong who is hostile to Israel but to send someone with a heart for the Jewish people and Israel to make us proud.”