I for one am reeling. I am overwhelmed with sorrow and grief for the murdered and their families, friends, and communities. It is a time, above and well before all else, for supporting them – no community or religious group should be killed or live in fear no matter their beliefs, customs, or even allegiances. Children, Holocaust survivors, religious leaders all have had their fundamental right – to life – abridged by a father and son on a mission. Because they were Jewish. No more, no less – just because of their faith.
And in this initial period, I know what it is not time for. It is not time to blame Albanese for failing to do what Netanyahu or some in the Jewish community demanded. It is not time to stifle criticism of Israel under guise of stopping antisemitism. It is not time (yet) to investigate the possible failings of our intelligence services in failing to anticipate and stop this. It is not time to ban protests and shy away from our international obligations. It is not time to shy away from democracy with overreach laws.
It is also not time to claim false flags, or Mossad involvement, or preach ‘whatabout Gaza’, or Sudan, or anywhere else for that matter. I love many in the Palestinian movement and they have said many compassionate things in the face of this violence but before they start to orate about historic morals or immediate comparisons please take a breath and say that right now Jewish lives matter. Just that. Unequivocal. There will be time for deeper lessons later.
That this should happen in the shadow of Christmas is both a blessing and a curse. It reminds us to be grateful for our families and our friends. To love unconditionally and hold our children, parents, family, and friends close in the tightest hug they can bear. To answer honestly and brutally when asked ‘how are you’, and to ask that question back and listen intently. It also leads us to question faith in any external god-force that could prevent this, but chooses not to. Good.
And perhaps, no matter what your beliefs, it is time to phone or email that Jewish friend, acquaintance, or even stranger and say, ‘I am so sorry for your loss. I stand with you for peace’. Can we just sit with that for a moment?
I will spend some time today meditating. In a garden just below the law school where we planted 35 trees in memory of each victim at Port Arthur because one of our students, Jim Pollard, was murdered there. The trees are huge now, and their shade welcome. There is a lesson in that too. I will reflect on how I can do better in this stormy sea. Perhaps I can be kinder, less didactic. Hate less, taste more. Grimace less, cry more.
May we rise above this horror and national shame to be a better and stronger country. Where there is less dispute and more conversation. Less hatred and more compassion.
And as we drive into Mullumbimby, let’s dip our lid to the LOVE sign.
Because that is who we are.
Guest editorial, David Heilpern
David Heilpern is a former NSW magistrate and is now Dean of Law at Southern Cross University.
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