Colonel Richard Kemp, a renowned British military expert with ties to Israel, has urged Australian political leaders to take decisive action against anti-Israel sentiment among certain Muslim leaders.
Speaking at an event organized by the Australian Jewish Association at the North Shore Synagogue last night, Kemp emphasized the need for robust political leadership to counter hate speech and maintain social cohesion and national security.
Kemp highlighted the critical role of political leaders in addressing the influence of hate preachers within mosques and Islamic centres.
He criticized the reluctance of many politicians to confront this issue, attributing it to electoral calculations and a fear of losing votes.
"It takes political leadership to confront this head-on, yet we see a lack of resolve due to fear of losing votes," Kemp stated.
He called on politicians to prioritize national interests and social harmony over short-term electoral gains by taking a firm stance against those who incite hatred and violence.
During the Q&A session, Kemp addressed the problem of anti-Israel rhetoric tolerated by certain Muslim leaders, which he said fosters division and undermines social cohesion.
Family First National Director and lead Senate candidate for NSW mentioned that some mosques and Islamic centres, including Lakemba Mosque, have hosted hate preachers advocating jihad.
Kemp responded, "There are too many in our midst, including some of our elected representatives, who will not stand up against this hate, and instead, pander to it for electoral gain."
He warned that tolerating hate speech poses a significant threat to the unity and safety of Australian society.
Kemp stressed the importance of raising public awareness about the broader implications of anti-Israel rhetoric.
He argued that educating the public on how these sentiments undermine societal values and cohesion is essential for building support to counteract such rhetoric.
"We must persuade Australians that this is not just an issue about Israel; it’s about our own values and security," Kemp urged.
The audience’s concern about anti-Israel protests, such as those at the Sydney Opera House, highlighted the urgency of this educational effort.
Kemp also emphasized the need to engage with the broader Muslim community to counter the influence of hate preachers. He advocated for fostering dialogue and cooperation with moderate Muslim leaders who support peaceful coexistence and mutual respect.
"There are many within the Muslim community who do not support these extremists, and it is crucial that we work with them to isolate and denounce hate speech," Kemp noted.
Finally, Kemp called for stronger legal measures to prevent hate speech and incitement to violence. He suggested that existing laws should be rigorously enforced to deter such behaviour.
"We must ensure that our legal framework is robust enough to deal with those who incite violence and hatred, and we need to apply these laws without fear or favour," Kemp stated.
Colonel Richard Kemp's extensive military experience, including commanding British forces in Afghanistan, along with his long-standing support and advisory roles with Israeli defence strategies and connections with key Israeli political and military leaders, make him a highly qualified commentator on the Israel-Gaza conflict.