Middle East conflict
John BERGER (Southern Metropolitan) (09:40): A few weeks ago I attended an event a few hundred metres away with the new Minister for Multicultural Affairs Minister Stitt. It was a celebration of the Jewish festival of tabernacles, or Sukkot, which is a Torah-commanded holiday celebrated for seven days. It begins on the 15th day of the month of Tishri. It began on 29 September and ended on Friday 6 October. It was a beautiful and a quiet time, which is why it left me sick to the core that terrorists would use this holiday to hide their rampage. As this chamber noted yesterday, Hamas terrorists crossed into Israel and brutalised innocent women and children in Israel. Festivalgoers doing nothing but attending a concert in the desert were slaughtered in their hundreds. Women were kidnapped and taken back to the Gaza Strip, where unspeakable evils occurred.
Last Monday night I, along with my colleagues in this place and the other place, like the Deputy Premier, attended the Caulfield Shule. We joined in peace, in reflection, in sadness and in resolve that Israel would have our support, now and forever. I know many in my community are afraid, and I want them to know we are doing everything to keep them safe. Antisemitic behaviour in schools is taken seriously. That is why Victoria Police is increasing its visible presence around Jewish schools, places of worship and cultural institutions – to keep them safe. I commend their partnership with the community safety group.