CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS
Mr TAYLOR (Hume) (10:12): I rise to pay tribute to the victims of the October 7 terror attacks. On the second anniversary of this heinous crime, our thoughts and prayers go to the families and friends of the loved ones who were lost. We are so sorry for their loss and understand how difficult this time must be.
They're not alone in their grief and sadness, and we can sympathise with their pain. This was the worst atrocity against Jewish people since the Holocaust: 1,200 innocent people murdered and tortured, women and girls sexually assaulted, men beheaded and babies killed. Hamas took 254 hostages; 48 of these are yet to be returned to their families.
The coalition has always believed Israel has the right to defend itself. Hamas, of course, a listed terrorist organisation—a brutal organisation—knew what it was doing that day and knew what would follow. It continues to use civilian infrastructure as military headquarters and storage facilities for weapons.
It uses human shields for its operations; it even uses its own people on a constant basis. The terrorist group thrives on the misery of the Gazan people and wants the destruction of Israel. The recognition of Palestinian statehood was premature.
It was a mistake. It rewarded terrorists. Hamas even praised the decision.
Sadly, since October 7, we've seen an unprecedented rise in antisemitism across Australia and across the globe. The recent stabbing attack at a synagogue in England's north is an example—as was that absolutely abhorrent graffiti in Melbourne just yesterday, glorifying the murder of innocent people. There have been reports of a firearm being threatened at a place of worship.
Society cannot seek to justify this kind of hate speech as free speech and legitimise antisemitism as anti-Zionism. There must be zero tolerance for this kind of behaviour, and this issue of antisemitism demands a strong and unified response and unequivocal leadership. Regarding a protest organised at the Sydney Opera House on Sunday— A division having been called in the House of Representatives— Sitting suspended from 10:15 to 10:27