Three years ago today, Hamas terrorists invaded and attacked Israel. The terrorists from Gaza came not only equipped with guns and grenades, they also wore body cams and carried mobile phones to film their barbarous acts. They felt no guilt. They acted with glee. They weaponised rape. They tortured and mutilated children, women and men. They took some 250 people hostage. They brutally murdered some 1,200 innocent people.
October 7 was the greatest loss of Jewish life on a single day since the Holocaust. And it should not be forgotten that Hamas vowed to repeat their savagery many times over until Israel is annihilated.
On the third anniversary of Israel's "9/11", we remember those who were murdered, those who survived and are still living with the horrors of that day, those who endured the most unimaginable captivity, and those families who are still grieving the loss of loved ones.
In October 2025, soon after the final hostages were released, I visited Israel. I went to the site of the Nova music festival where young people were massacred. I visited kibbutzim where families and communities were butchered. I watched the shocking footage of Hamas' sadistic crimes. And I spoke with survivors and heroes.
That profound experience reinforced to me another thing we must do on every anniversary of October 7. We must remember the facts and fight for the truth. Because even today, there are those who downplay, deny and even defend Hamas' atrocities. There are those who seek to portray the victim, Israel, as the villain, and portray the villain, Hamas, as the victim. There are those who deceitfully accuse Israel of genocide, yet turn a blind eye to groups and regimes with real genocidal intent.
Such perversions of the truth and lack of moral clarity help to fuel antisemitism and make it permissible. The fight against antisemitism is therefore a fight for the truth - a fight that continues on our soil too. And that fight is also about acknowledging and combatting all sources of antisemitism, especially Islamist extremism.
On behalf of the Coalition, my prayers and abiding friendship are with the brave people of Israel, and with our Jewish community who are dear and valued Australians. Whether it's in Israel, in Australia, or most recently, thousands of feet up in the air in a passenger jet, the Jewish people continue to be characterised by strength, stoicism and valour. We know you will prevail because you love life more than your enemies love death. And we are with you, always.
