On the first anniversary of the devastating October 7 terrorist attacks, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton have shared messages of solidarity, reflection, and condemnation.
The attacks, orchestrated by Hamas, led to the deaths of over 1,200 Israelis, marking the deadliest single day for Jewish life since the Holocaust.
In his statement, Prime Minister Albanese described October 7 as a day that “carries terrible pain” and condemned Hamas’ actions, calling the brutality “coldly calculated.” He expressed deep sympathy for those still held hostage by Hamas and for their families, whose agony of waiting for answers has been unbearable.
Albanese also noted the rise in antisemitism following the attacks and reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to fight all forms of prejudice, stating,
“There is no place in Australia for discrimination against people of any faith.”
He emphasised the shared humanity of all people, adding that “every innocent life matters” in times of conflict.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton echoed these sentiments, calling the last 12 months “one of the most difficult periods for Jewish Australians in our nation’s history.”
He mourned the loss of 1,200 innocent lives on October 7 and expressed grief for families still holding out hope for hostages. Dutton further condemned the rise of antisemitism across Western democracies, which the attacks have exposed, and reiterated Israel’s right to defend itself against such existential threats.
“The enemies of Israel and the peddlers of Jewish hate will never win,”
Dutton asserted, standing firmly with Australia’s Jewish community.
The tragic events of October 7, 2023, occurred when Hamas launched an unprecedented series of coordinated attacks on Israel. Armed militants breached the Gaza-Israel border, targeting civilians at a music festival, residential areas, and military posts. Innocent men, women, and children were killed, with hostages taken, sparking global outrage and a renewed focus on the Israel-Palestine conflict.
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