With the firebombing of a synagogue in Melbourne, the Jewish world is understandably concerned about the situation in Australia. Some have said Australia is no longer safe for Jews. Comparisons have even been made to Europe in the 1930s. Should Australian Jews such as myself be packing up and heading for Israel?
No, not out of fear.
Australian Jews should be vigilant but not unduly fearful. Antisemitic acts happen in Australia, as they do everywhere. But Australia is on the whole a multicultural success story. It is one of the safest places in the world for Jews, just as it is for other minority groups. When we fail to put threats in their proper perspective, we succumb to unnecessary fear. And that, ultimately, is the aim of terror attackers.
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