Australians were shocked to learn about a large-scale terrorist attack launched from Hamas-governed Gaza territory deep into Israel on 7th October 2023. In addition to a barrage of thousands of missiles sent to Israel. Hamas gunman hit more than 20 sites in southern Israel, killed more than 1,300 mostly civilian Jews and abducted an estimated 150 people. Jews were killed in the streets, in parks, driving their cars or bikes, waiting for the bus or trying to hide in their homes. Some 260 young people were killed while attending a peace music festival. The brutality shown by Hamas is difficult to comprehend – children were beheaded, and women were raped. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel is now in a “state of war.”

The next day the Australian National Imans Council refused to condemn Hamas and issued a statement demanding “a cessation of the Israeli offensive on Gaza”. Prominent Sheikh Ibrahim Dadoun celebrated the killings of Israelis at a rally in front of Lakemba Mosque. On 9 October a demonstration of a few hundred Hamas supporters took place in front of the Sydney Town House and marched without required permission to the Opera House with shouts “Shame, shame Australia”, “Gas the Jews” and “Kill the Jews”. Although such calls breached several Australian laws, spread racial hatred and went against the core tenets of Australian multiculturalism very little immediate action was taken by law enforcement authorities or by government. Instead, a Jewish businessman carrying the Israeli flag was arrested by the NSW police ‘to protect the peace’ and Jewish Australians were told to stay home, away from the city, for their safety. Following a few days, government responses became more balanced and demonstrations in support of Hamas were banned.

The pro-Hamas response of elements of the Islamic community and the hesitation of governments in dealing with the situation requires an urgent response from multicultural leadership in Australia. We need again re-focus on building social cohesion and on dealing with the root causes of Islamist violence. At this moment, Islamic extremism impacts only a small section of the Muslim community in Australia. But its influence may grow, and opportunistic acts of violence may be launched, if no appropriate countermeasures are put in place. The Muslim community leaders and the government authorities need to re-ignite their work to secure the future of social cohesion in Australia.