STATEMENTS BY SENATORS

Senator CASH (Western Australia—Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) (13:53): Three years ago, on 7 October 2023, Hamas terrorists crossed from Gaza into Israel and carried out the deadliest attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust. They attacked with guns, grenades and knives, and they wore body cameras and took mobile phones to film what they did.

They felt no guilt. They acted with glee. They murdered more than 1,200 innocent men, women and children.

Young people were massacred at the Nova music festival. Families were butchered in their homes. Rape was used as a weapon.

Some 250 people were dragged into Gaza as hostages and endured the most unimaginable captivity. Today, we remember every one of them, as we did on October 7. We remember those who were murdered, the survivors who still live with the horror of that day, the hostages and the families who continue to grieve.

We must also remember the facts and stand up for the truth. Even now, there were those who downplay, deny and even defend what Hamas did. They try to cast Israel as the villain and Hamas as the victim.

That loss of moral clarity fuels antisemitism. Australians know this because that hatred came to our shores. In December of last year at Bondi Beach, Jewish families gathered to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah, and they were targeted by terrorists, and 15 innocent people were slaughtered on Bondi Beach.

It was an attack on Jewish Australians and an attack on all of us. Hate has no place in this country, and the coalition will never be silent whilst Australians are targeted for who they are. To the people of Israel and to the Jewish community who are dear and valued Australians, we stand with you always.

Never again means exactly that. Never again.