Horror at San Diego synagogue attack
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The Australian Council of Christians and Jews has expressed its horror at the murderous attack on worshippers at the Chabad at Poway Synagogue in San Diego over the weekend.
A 19-year-old man has been charged with murder and three counts of attempted murder following the shooting in the synagogue on Saturday.
In a statement issued today, the Australian Council expressed its deepest condolences to the families and friends of the woman who was killed and those who were wounded in this “latest senseless and vicious attack”.
“We strongly condemn this violent act and the climate of whispered permission which authoritarian governments and politicians have given to such acts of antisemitism and attacks on religious ‘others’.
“No political position should give shelter to antisemitism and racism of any kind,” the statement read.
“The International Council of Christians and Jews has recently condemned the widespread growth of antisemitism, intolerance, racism, xenophobia and Islamophobia.
“It has described antisemitism as a warning sign of societal breakdown.
“The times call upon us all – as individuals, organisations, and societies – to redouble our opposition to all forms of bigotry and racism.”
The Council said it was timely to remember German theologian and Lutheran pastor Martin Niemöller’s grim warning: ‘First they came for the communists and I did not speak out— because I was not a communist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out — because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me’.
“We believe a firm stand should be taken against racism and sectarian violence wherever and whenever it appears,” the statement concluded.
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