Chanukah, freedom and the hysteria of a movement that sanctifies murder

On the second day of Chanukah, we grieve for the fifteen Jewish and other victims murdered, and the many wounded, at a Chanukah party on Bondi Beach, in yet another atrocious terrorist attack targeting Jewish people. Among the dead was a ten-year-old girl, Matilda Britvan.

Tonight, and throughout this week, we light the Chanukah candles – the festival that celebrates freedom. Chanukah commemorates the Jewish rebellion of 167 BCE, led by the Maccabees, five brothers, against the oppression of the Greek Seleucid empire that ruled the Levant – today’s Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan and half of Iraq – a resistance that succeeded in restoring the Kingdom of Judea.

As we prepare to light our menorahs each night, we recall the meaning of the Maccabee story not only for the Judeans of their time or the Jews of ours, but for its universal values: courage, freedom, hope and truth. Again and again, these triumph – against impossible odds – over violence, bigotry, hatred and self-righteous hypocrisy. The murder by two terrorists of ordinary people is not only a consequence of the hysteria of a movement that encourages and sanctifies violence – that speaks of “globalising the intifada” against people simply because of who they are – it is its essence. Killing words lead to killing.

This atrocity of “anti-Zionism” that is actually anti-Judaism is an antisemitic mass murder. It forms part of a vicious delirium that has intimidated and swept up many who should know better – including politicians and sections of the media – justifying the killing of innocent Jewish people while corroding the trust, values and safety of our open, free societies. The image of Matilda Britvan tells us exactly what “globalising the resistance” means.