Page 39 - October 7 - Teresa Pirola

rape, torture and abduction of civilians on October 7 in southern Israel.
6. Within any national, ethnic or religious community, one can find people who do bad things. However, generalising the judgement about the bad actions of one person or subgroup to a whole nation, ethnic group or religious community is a form of prejudice, racism, bigotry. We should never judge all Palestinians by the actions of Hamas. Neither should all Jews be judged by the particular actions of any individual Jew or group of Jews or any Israeli government.
7. Antisemitism is no joke; it is a very serious matter. It is the mindset that led the Nazis to murder six million Jews. Antisemitic thoughts and words lead to violence. This is why Australian politicians and responsible citizens are so concerned about the Jew-hatred expressed on Australian streets and on social media in recent weeks. In Australia, some expressions of antisemitism can be prosecuted as a crime.
8. The teaching of the Catholic Church clearly rejects antisemitism. It ‘decries hatred, persecutions, displays of anti-Semitism, directed against Jews at any time and by anyone’ (Nostra Aetate, 4). Other churches have similar statements. Antisemitism is diametrically opposed to the teachings of the Jew, Jesus.
9. We each have a responsibility to ensure that Australian society is a safe place for all, whatever one’s race, ethnicity or religion. If we don’t want the hatreds and violence of overseas conflicts to be imported into our peaceful, multicultural society, we should speak up and challenge antisemitic and other prejudicial behaviour. This is not always easy. It takes the courage of our convictions, especially in the face of peer group pressure.
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