When They Came For The Jews They Came For Us Too!

Pastor Martin Niemöller’s words from Nazi Germany is again uncomfortably relevant:

“First they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for the Christians, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Christian.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”

Niemöller, once a supporter of Hitler who later became an outspoken critic and prisoner in a concentration camp, wrote this poem as a warning about the dangers of silence in the face of injustice.

On October 9, 2023, the Sydney Opera House was lit up in blue and white in solidarity with the state of Israel following the horrific atrocities of October 7. Yet, amid this show of support, chants of “Gas the Jews” and “F*** the Jews” erupted on the Opera House steps, a moment so vile it should have shocked the nation into immediate and unified condemnation. Instead, too many responded with indifference, deflection, or silence. The Albanese government’s daily criticism and condemnation of Israel set a troubling tone, appearing to appease hate speech on our streets by disguising it as ‘free speech’ without consequence. Their appeasement just encouraged and emboldened the antisemites. From Parliament House to Bondi Beach, protests continued. While many marched seeking justice, others used the platform to spread venom thinly veiled as political speech.

Each time hatred reared its head — whether on the Harbour Bridge, on the steps of government, or on the sands of Bondi — the response from parts of our society was disturbingly quiet. The graffiti and firebombing of Synagogues, the attacks on Jewish businesses and homes. We tell ourselves these words don’t reflect us, that they’re fringe, that someone else will speak up. But Niemöller’s warning is clear: by the time hatred reaches your doorstep, there may be no one left to defend you. On the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the so-called ‘peaceful protests’ were anything but peaceful. Nazi swastikas, flags of Hamas and Hezbollah, and images of the Ayatollah were waved proudly. These are symbols recognized worldwide as emblems of terror and hate, yet they went unpunished. Did anyone see the Australian flag waved proudly? No. Instead, a few were brought to be burned for the world to see.

Just this past Father’s Day, Bondi Beach, home to many of Sydney’s Jewish community, was taken over by hateful crowds chanting “Intifada.” Are they calling for an Intifada here in Australia? The original Intifadas in Israel were marked by suicide bombings, attacks on buses and cafes. Are such violent uprisings what these chants are calling for on our own soil? This raises a painful but necessary question: why do we allow Islamist extremists and left wing Marxists to threaten and undermine the values that have shaped our society? Values of justice, peace, respect, and compassion, values deeply rooted in both Jewish and Christian traditions — seem to be under attack, yet too often these assaults go unchallenged or are dismissed.

These attacks on Jewish people and symbols are not only a direct assault on one community, they threaten the very values both Jewish and Christian traditions hold dear: justice, compassion, peace, and the sanctity of human life. Judaism teaches tikkun olam, the responsibility to “repair the world,” while Christianity calls on followers to “love thy neighbour.” Both traditions uphold the importance of peace, justice, and protecting the vulnerable, yet these shared values have been trampled.

Peace is not merely the absence of conflict; it is a proactive pursuit of healing and reconciliation. But instead of dialogue, violent rhetoric and glorification of terror have dominated recent protests, contradicting these deeply held commitments. The sacredness of every human life is central to both faiths. Yet the suffering of Israeli civilians has been dismissed or ignored, while the pain of Palestinians is often politicized. The plight of Israeli hostages is often ignored or receives little attention yet Hamas propaganda is believed and given its full attention. Compare the shocking distortions made True empathy demands recognition of all human suffering, not selective outrage.

Both religions stress the pursuit of truth and justice. However, distortions and denial of facts have fuelled division, poisoning trust. Both faiths call for love and care for one’s neighbour. Yet, protests have marginalized those seeking peace, replacing compassion with tribalism and barbarism. Leaders who speak out against hate face harassment and cancellation, creating a culture of fear where honest conversation is stifled.

Niemöller’s poem warns of the cost of silence. When hatred against one group is ignored, the whole community is endangered. Australia’s promise of a “fair go” calls us to call out hate wherever it appears, defend the dignity of all people – Jewish, Christian, Indigenous, and beyond Support peaceful dialogue, not violence, and stand in solidarity with those facing hatred so no one stands alone.

Speaking out may be difficult, but silence allows hatred to thrive. Put simply, it is complicity. And history shows where that leads. When they came for the Jews, our shared values were under attack. Today, we must stand together. Jewish, Christian, and all Australians alike — to protect the principles that make us strong and humane. The price of remaining silent is too great.

Let’s wave the Australian flag proudly again. Let’s ensure it stands not for appeasement or cowardice, but for freedom, decency, and solidarity.

Come on, Australia. Come on.