An evening with Senator Dave Sharma

August 26th 2024

Friends of Israel WA (FOIWA) welcomed Senator Dave Sharma to Perth on Monday night at the Perth Hebrew Congregation. Senator Sharma made a special journey to Perth, at the request of Senator Dean Smith, to specifically address the Jewish community and friends of Israel and the Jewish community.

Senator Sharma served as Australian Ambassador to Israel from 2013-2017. He has an in-depth understanding of the politics, and is crystal clear and unwavering in his support for Israel and Australia’s Jewish community, which has contributed greatly at all levels of society.

He reassured the 190-strong audience with the message: “You are not alone, because there are large chunks of Australians who do understand the real truth: Israel was attacked and must eliminate this sickeningly barbaric threat against her citizens to prevent it happening again, and to recover those so violently taken hostage just for being Jewish.”

Senator Sharma returned to Israel in May to learn in detail how Israelis are coping with the events of October 7,and all that has happened since. His subject was ‘The future of Australia-Israel Relations after October 7’. He acknowledged that Israel was forced into a Two-State Solution for Peace in 2005, which didn’t go well.

There were a few points he said were important to reinforce: Proportionately, the number of innocent Israeli casualties on October 7 equated to 15 times the number killed in the 9/11 attacks.

Israel was the victim of an unprovoked terrorist attack. Israel has the responsibility to eliminate this threat against innocent civilians. The war would end if the hostages were returned and Hamas laid down their arms.

Responsibility for the conflict in Gaza is with Hamas, which has the stated aim of genocide against the Jewish people.

Senator Sharma acknowledged the anxiety felt by Jewish people around Australia, who have been targeted in many antisemitic attacks, and who feel abandoned by leaders in government and universities. Without wanting to get political, he emphasised his Party’s commitment to the Jewish people, to the state of Israel, and to fighting antisemitism in Australia. The evening concluded with a variety of questions from the audience. Thank you to all who attended.