Ex-governor hits out at Palestine rally 'hate speech'
Former Victorian governor Linda Dessau, who served in the role from 2015 to 2023 and describes herself as a Jewish Australian, said anti-Semitism had erupted in the community.
"Right throughout from our political leaders throughout the community, I don't think there's been a strong enough response," she told Nine's Neil Mitchell Asks Why podcast, released on Tuesday.
Police are investigating a string of attacks in Melbourne against Jewish places of worship and businesses with ties to Israel, including fires at two synagogues.
Recently some protesters at a pro-Palestine rally in Melbourne chanted "Death to the IDF (Israeli Defence Force)" which Ms Dessau described as hate speech.
It came the same weekend as one of the synagogue fires and violence erupted outside an Israeli-owned restaurant in the city.
"We call it the what it is, totally unacceptable, and we call out the hate speech, and we prosecute people," she said.
"We make it clear that we won't accept it, that's very different from saying we don't agree with what Israel's doing in Gaza or elsewhere."
The former barrister and magistrate said the Australian community took a stand against Islamophobia in the wake of the September 11, 2001, terror attacks in the United States and a 2019 mosque massacre in Christchurch, New Zealand.
"Jewish Australians, as well as Australians from all different backgrounds, were very quick to ensure that Muslims didn't feel that they were being treated differently because of what had happened on September 11," Ms Dessau told the broadcaster.
She said a similar act of solidarity happened after the NZ shooting when people stood "shoulder to shoulder" outside the State Library in central Melbourne.
"The (Jewish) community feels let down for the very reasons that you've just pointed out so eloquently," she told the broadcaster.
"That in other instances, these things have been stopped right at the source and they should have been here, too."
Political leaders including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan have condemned the synagogue fires and attacks on businesses with links to Israel.
Two men have separately been charged over those fires.
A state anti-hate taskforce has been established and anti-vilification laws are due to come into force in September.
The Victorian government is also drafting laws to ban protests outside places of worship and demonstrators wearing face coverings.
Jillian Segal, Australia's special envoy to combat anti-Semitism, has recommended a review of laws around anti-Semitic and hateful conduct, including violent or intimidating protests.
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