Jew and Citizen

Hanukkah should have been a time of light and celebration, yet this year it is overshadowed by grief following the horrific antisemitic terror attack in Bondi Beach. Australia, long seen as a safe haven and true home for Jews fleeing persecution in the 20th century, is now facing a painful reckoning. Since October 7, antisemitism has surged across the country—violent chants, graffiti, attacks on synagogues, and now the murder of Jews celebrating their faith. Australian Jews are confronting a question Jews across the world know too well: Should we stay, or should we leave?

History offers important perspective. From the French Revolution onward, Jews embraced citizenship in their home countries, guided by the principle of dina de-malchuta dina—the law of the land is the law. This partnership enriched both Jews and the societies they joined. Jewish citizens helped shape law, philosophy, science, and culture while remaining deeply Jewish and deeply committed to their countries. Yet when nationalism hardened in the 20th century, Jews were pushed outside national narratives, leading ultimately to the Holocaust. In response, some Jews turned to Zionism and built the State of Israel; others stayed and fought for justice within their societies, embodying Jewish values of humanity and moral responsibility.

Today, with Israel as a homeland and citizenship as a core part of Jewish identity, the answer to the recurring question is clear: Jews are here to stay. Antisemitism is not only an attack on Jews—it is an attack on democracy, diversity, and freedom itself. To stand against antisemitism is to stand for the values our societies claim to cherish. As former French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said, “France without Jews wouldn’t be France anymore.” The same is true for Australia, and for any democratic society. To our Australian friends: stay strong, stay united, reject hate, and continue to embrace the richness of your shared identity—Judaism included.