Peter Dutton says ‘leadership vacuum’ has led to rise in anti-Semitism in Hanukkah message | USAEMALL.com

Opposition leader Peter Dutton appeared to accuse the Albanese Government of creating a “vacuum of political leadership” on the issue of anti-Semitism, in a politically charged Hanukkah message.

The Coalition leader issued the statement Tuesday, on the eve of the Jewish holiday, also referred to as Chanukah, that this year runs from Wednesday to January 2.

Mr Dutton acknowledged the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel — the largest loss of Jewish life in a single day since the Holocaust — and the hostages that remained in captivity.

“There’s the chilling reality that in Israel’s hours of need since October 7, 2023, some of its allies have shamefully behaved more like adversaries and demanded standards of Israel which they would never expect of themselves in similar circumstances,” he said.

“This Chanukah, celebrations will also be overshadowed by the sheer magnitude of anti-Semitic incidents that have plagued Western democracies, including here in Australia.”

Citing a “hate-filled mob” that chanted “where’s the Jews” outside the Sydney Opera House two days after October 7 and the firebombing of Melbourne’s Adass Israel Synagogue earlier this month, Mr Dutton said “intolerable incident after intolerable incident has been tolerated due to a vacuum of political leadership”.

“This Chanukah, I reiterate to Jewish Australians – and indeed all Australians who cherish our way of life – that a Dutton Coalition Government will provide moral clarity, deliver strong political leadership, and act decisively to restore law and order,” he said.

The Prime Minister has previously labelled Mr Dutton’s attacks on this issue as “divisive”, pointing to his Government’s repeated denouncement of anti-Semitic incidents.

Anthony Albanese recently established a new police Special Operation that will focus on threats and violence towards the Jewish community.

Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the second Temple in Jerusalem, with customs including lighting a menorah with nine candles.

Mr Dutton said it was a “story of victory over oppression and the importance of hope”.

“In that spirit, may the ordeals of the last 14 months be all the more reason for Australia’s Jewish community to commemorate Chanukah as a confident statement of your solidarity, strength, faith and hope,” he said.

Israel and Lebanon-based Hezbollah have struck a temporary ceasefire, but war with Hamas in Gaza continues to rage.

More than 1800 Israelis have died — with a majority of those deaths occurring at the war’s outset on October 7 — while the Palestinian death toll is believed to have passed 45,000.