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As Melbourne reels from attacks on synagogues and Israeli-owned businesses, a rare coalition of faith communities gathered peacefully over the weekend to reclaim the moral ground in a nation struggling against rising terror and intimidation.

On Sunday, in Melbourne, fifteen organisations from three different communities — Hindus, Iranians and Israelis — gathered with one unified purpose: to stand against terrorism.

The rally came amid rising violence, public apathy, and a growing ideological threat not just to Israel, but to the very foundations of Australian democracy and religious freedom.

Below, I’ll share a detailed account of the event, the context surrounding it, the voices that spoke out, and the broader spiritual and political battle being waged.

But first, let’s get some perspective. Israel is one-third the size of Tasmania. The Middle East, meanwhile, is nearly three times the size of Western Australia. The conflict is not about a small sliver of land — it is about Israel’s existence.

Islamic terrorists do not want Israel to exist. They will apparently stop at nothing to achieve that goal. Israel, on the other hand, continues to defend itself following the brutal attack on October 7, 2023 — an assault not only on a nation, but on its right to exist in that small patch on the globe, the only home the United Nations has allowed the Jewish people.

National Rally: United Against Terror

The National Rally: United Against Terror, held in Melbourne, was initiated by Minority Impact in Queensland and coordinated across four major Australian cities. In Melbourne, it was hosted by Isaac Baldon, one of the founders of The Lions of Zion, and brought together groups including Hindus of Australia, Australian Jewish Association, JUnited, and Meliran — a powerful show of unity from communities increasingly under threat.

This was the most unified and sizeable event since the Never Again Is Now rally held in Melbourne more than a year ago, which drew over 5,000 people despite the rain.

Sunday’s rally began with a minute of silence led by Iranian, Hindu and Jewish community leaders to honour the victims of terrorism. As one speaker reminded us, terrorism doesn’t only kill — it steals futures, silences truth, and extinguishes hope. According to some estimates, over 300,000 people have died at the hands of terrorists in the past 20 years.

Fifteen-year-old Sophie, a proud Melbourne Jew, spoke passionately about the radicalisation she sees in her own generation.

“We are literally witnessing the radicalisation of some of our precious Australian youth who are chanting for death,” she said.

Sophie no longer feels safe in the city she once visited with her grandmother. Her Jewish necklace is now hidden beneath her clothes.

“If I’m old enough to be affected by it, I’m old enough to change it,” she declared.

Violence, Intimidation, and Silence

Despite the hopeful turnout, many there questioned why only a few hundred people showed up, especially after the recent terror attacks in Melbourne.

Just two days prior, masked individuals stormed a restaurant owned by Israeli chef Eyal Shani and his business partner Shahar Segal, who is known to support the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. The attackers smashed windows, overturned tables, and terrorised patrons.

On the same day, an attempted arson attack was launched on a synagogue in East Melbourne. A man poured flammable liquid on the front door and set it alight while 20 people were quietly enjoying a Shabbat meal inside. They escaped through a back door, alerted by a young boy in the foyer.

Where was the outrage? Where were the crowds?

Only a handful of Christians came to stand in solidarity — three from the Family First Party and a few others.

As Gideon Rozner stated bluntly: “No Australian should have their place of worship firebombed.”

But the painful truth remains — there have been no real consequences for these acts of violence and for the chants of death and terror that have plagued Melbourne’s streets.

Melbourne at a Dangerous Precipice

Since the Never Again Is Now rally in May 2024, turnout has dwindled. Each Sunday morning, only 10 to 30 people — a few brave Jews, Christians and atheists — stand quietly in the CBD.

They face down noisy, drum-beating, aggressive pro-Palestinian protestors shouting:

“Kill the Jews,”
“F… the Jews,”
“Death to the IDF.”

Instead of arresting those who threaten violence, police have moved on the peaceful crowd and even threatened them with arrest simply for being in the city.

One Sunday, a Christian woman had her Lion of Judah flag ripped from her hand. Her husband gave chase to recover it — and was pepper-sprayed by police.

On another morning, an elderly woman with a flag on an umbrella was grabbed by police, their arms tightly around her neck.

Melbourne, once one of the most successful multicultural cities in the world, is now almost unrecognisable. For 21 months, it has teetered on the edge of something dangerous.

Faith, Identity and Resolve

Omid Rokni, speaking at the weekend rally on behalf of the Iranian community, explained: “Fear is used as a weapon of control in Iran.”

He urged Australians to revive the Cyrus Accord — a covenant of peace and unity dating back to King Cyrus of Persia, who allowed the Jewish people to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple.

The Book of Ezra in the Tanakh and Old Testament recounts that historic act of restoration.

The Australian Hindu community leader also spoke, reminding us that “We’ve heard of antisemitism in Europe and the Middle East, but never in India. For 2,000 years, Jews have lived peacefully in India.”

This is not just about Israel or Jews. This is about Australia too — Melbourne — our home. Living peacefully together is what we do. Welcoming people from across the world has long been our way. The behaviour seen in our streets is not the Australian way.

As Gideon Rozner concluded: “Terrorism is not welcome in Australia. Jihad is not welcome in Australia. And the cold, dead hand of Islamic theocracy will never be welcome in Australia.”

Where is the Government?

Liberal politicians Renee Heath, David Southwick, and Opposition Leader Brad Batten attended the weekend rally. But no government representatives came, despite the violent incidents on Friday.

Over the past 21 months, the government has failed to crack down on the rising threat. Instead, it has allowed an atmosphere of terror to thrive, empowering those who chant for death, disrupt the peace, and incite violence.

As David Southwick asked, “Why aren’t the organisers of these weekly marches locked up? No one should be chanting kill anyone.”

The Herald Sun reported that Victoria Police have had to pull 10,000 shifts away from real crime to monitor disruptive protests. Rather than taking action, police have been forced to babysit peaceful citizens — for almost two years.

A Spiritual and Ideological Battle

We must recognise what this truly is. The attack from Gaza was not just on Israel — it was on the only democratic nation in the Middle East. It was not about land — it’s about ideology.

Radical Islam opposes democracy. It opposes every religion that is not its own. It especially despises the God of the Jews and Christians.

They want us to hide our necklaces and cover our faces. But I will not hide. My face is my identity. I will not cover it. I am not a criminal. My identity is in Christ, and when I look into the faces of family, friends and strangers alike, I see someone made in the image of God.

Today, we have a problem. Let’s not put it in the too-hard basket, or reframe it as an Israeli problem.

We are in a huge spiritual battle — a conflict not only fought on earth but taking place in the heavenlies.

It is the age-old fight of good against evil — and it is our fight.