Politicising our trauma is not in the Jewish community’s interest

The British Prime Minister Harold Wilson famously said, “a week is a long time in politics”.

What then to make of 52 weeks – an entire year – of politics in the shadow of October 7?

During October 2023, communal mourning and rally events were held at Caulfield Shule and Caulfield Park. There was a sense of shock and sorrow, but also unity and resilience.

Politicians spoke from both sides of the political divide with sympathy and solidarity. There was little thought of partisanship, why would there be?

In federal and state parliaments, bipartisan motions were passed by Labor governments with the support of Liberal oppositions, condemning the Hamas attack and expressing solidarity with both the Jewish state and the Jewish people.

October 7, 2023 does not feel like very long ago but that spirit of political unity does.

One year on, October 7, antisemitism and Israel have all become casualties of our domestic political fray.

Last week in federal parliament, a motion on the October 7 anniversary was the subject of a hyper-partisan political debate. Both the government and opposition put up their own motions, voting against each other’s, unable to find any bipartisan consensus on commemorating the date.

Many will try to apportion blame for this. I have no interest in doing so here. But I am saddened that it has come to this.