A synagogue burned out. In Melbourne. Australia. I must ask again: do you see it yet, world? Do you see what hate leads to? For over a year antisemitic hatred has simmered, and now the pot is boiling over. Karl Popper’s ‘Paradox of Tolerance’ has never been more relevant than at the present moment: “Unlimited tolerance must lead to the disappearance of tolerance. If we extend unlimited tolerance even to those who are intolerant, if we are not prepared to defend a tolerant society against the onslaught of the intolerant, then the tolerant will be destroyed, and tolerance with them...for it may easily turn out that they are not prepared to meet us on the level of rational argument, but begin by denouncing all argument; they may forbid their followers to listen to rational argument, because it is deceptive, and teach them to answer arguments by the use of their fists or pistols. We should therefore claim, in the name of tolerance, the right not to tolerate the intolerant.” —The Open Society and Its Enemies You have no idea how much I hate that what I feared would come to pass, is now well on its way. To the terrified and the wounded of Melbourne’s Jewish community, you have my unequivocal support from half the world away. We will drive this ancient hate back into the darkness. History shall not repeat a SINGLE SECOND MORE. NEVER again. #fightantisemitism #neveragainisnow
In a violent antisemitic attack, Molotov cocktails were thrown at the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne, one of Australia's busiest synagogues. Two people were injured and the firebombs destroyed much of the building. We call on law enforcement to work quickly to arrest the perpetrators. We firmly stand with the Australian Jewish community. Their pain is our pain. https://lnkd.in/ey6ybMk8
Anthony Remis -- your post offers an insightful paradox about society and culture and values. The Big Q's become introspection points when we allow intolerance to spread without guardrails of values! An interesting dichotomy when you consider, for example, how in America and across the global the richest and loudest mouth piece fosters hate speak and intolerance under the guise of 'Absolute Free Speech', and yet the party he backs proposes to prosecute, jail and/or deport anyone who criticizes 🇺🇸 or sets 🔥2flag! I stand with 🇮🇱 From my POV: organic, fluid human history only advances when 'truth as facts' and 'truth as values' align. One's bona fide assets (who you are, what you do) must interfuse with the highest of human values. It's a weird world out there now. An upside down world, where only highest energy values can turn it rightside up again. I fear this new rising 21st Century Ziegeist is pulling 'truth and values' into the gutter.
Please know. Millions of Christians (like me) love and support our Jewish/Israeli sisters and brothers. Am Yisrael Chai 🙏 🇮🇱
A failure of law enforcement in Melbourne will be a failure of government. Show the world that democracy protects its citizens.
Wake up world
My bravado should not be misunderstood. I am absolutely terrified right now. But I know that there is nothing to do but fight with all that we have to stop the hate before even worse happens. Please, friends, be safe. Weather the storm. Better days are ahead. I know it.