Jewish community turns inward, imprisoned between two wars

There are two wars being fought over the Middle East. One of them is on the ground in Gaza, between Israel and Hamas, with tanks, rockets and artillery. Israel is engaged in what many describe as an existential battle against an enemy determined to destroy it. This war has taken the Middle East into uncharted territory. No-one can predict which direction it will take and when it will end.

The other war being fought is in public arenas all around the world, between people expressing support and hostility on various sides of the conflict in Gaza. These combatants use words, photos, posters, physical and digital intimidation. The battles have claimed many victims on all sides, some of whom will be scarred for many years, if not life.

The second war is unprecedented in its scale and depth. Not even September 11 prompted so many proxy wars and divisiveness around the world. There have been several grave casualties of this war: one of them is the erosion of civil discussion. People find it almost impossible to discuss Israel-Hamas without flinching and walking on eggshells. Exchanges of views are seen as throwing of grenades.

One of the reasons for this is the tidal wave of hostility that has been directed towards Israel and Jews, the reflexive sympathy for Palestinians that was not balanced by any similar feelings for Israelis – from certain politicians, NGOs and progressives and the sense of entitlement shown by pro-Palestinian supporters in expressing not just solidarity, but physical intimidation of Jews and Israeli interests in Australia.

It began in the immediate aftermath of October 7 before Israel had responded to Hamas’s attacks, and in the early days of the IDF offensive in Gaza. The hatred was ignited by the march from Sydney Town Hall to the Opera House – where demonstrators, according to NSW police, chanted “where are the Jews?” not “Gas the Jews” (are the police serious?), then spread as’ ‘Freedom for Palestine banners’ quickly removed the word Hamas from public display, Jewish people and causes were singled out and cancelled, and Israeli hostages’ families ambushed.