Will the tragic mass murder of Jews in Sydney, Australia at a Hanukkah celebration trigger the next round of war in Southwest Asia? At least 15 celebrants have died, victims of gunfire by two Muslims, in what has been described by Australian officials as an act of terrorism. Israeli politicians, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog immediately went on a verbal rampage, stating that the “victims’ blood is on the government’s hands,” for not acting more aggressively against antisemitism.
Netanyahu specifically referred to a letter he sent to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in August, criticizing the government’s decision to support a Palestinian state in UN hearings. This support, Netanyahu charged, encouraged “the Jew-hatred now stalking your streets.” Herzog chimed in, stating that support for a Palestinian state led to “an enormous wave of antisemitism,” which is “plaguing Australian society.” Greater Israel extremist National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir joined the chorus. The three made these allegations before authorities had been able to gather any evidence against the shooters, one of whom had been shot and killed by police and another is in a coma.
There is concern in Tehran that Netanyahu will use this as an excuse to launch a new attack on Iran. Media and security contacts in Iran confirmed that the country is on a heightened state of alert, as Netanyahu has repeatedly warned that Israel is prepared to make Iran pay a price for any attack on Israel. On Oct. 19, for example, Netanyahu told Channel 14 in Israel that the threat from Iran is “far from over … our focus remains on Iran.”
