Mutating cancer cells of hatred |
TWO Muslim men, apparently a father-son duo of Indian origin, went on a shooting spree at Australia’s legendary Bondi Beach last week where they targeted Jews, killing 15 and injuring dozens. Another man who bravely grabbed and disarmed one of the shooters, and got critically wounded in the bargain, was also a Muslim. The selfless hero saved Jewish lives and thereby also saved the day for a very reviled idea of secular bonhomie and religious harmony. This man needs to be celebrated in every country and every home that faces racist or religious slight from and against their estranged communities.
In his heroism the man — reportedly a Syrian fruit seller — spoke up for Muslims by putting his body on the line regardless of who the terrorists were and who the victims were. It was not too different from Norman Finkelstein or Ilan Pappe and so many others who represent an intellectual but well-grounded resistance that has inspired young and old Jews to thwart Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloodlust for Palestinians. Had Ahmed al-Ahmed not stuck his neck out in the nick of time, rest assured Netanyahu would be digging his fangs into the carotid artery of Anthony Albanese, the Australian prime minister who recently dared to speak up for a two-state solution for Palestine.
Netanyahu had warned Albanese in August against Australia’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state. It “pours fuel on the antisemitic fire … emboldens those who menace Australian Jews and encourages the Jew hatred now stalking your streets”. Albanese was weak and appeased........