Tel Aviv [Israel], October 7: Australians are marking in different ways the first anniversary of the deadliest terror attack against Jews since the Holocaust but are being told grief shouldn't be a competition.
Jewish communities are marking the October 7 anniversary with vigils across the nation, remembering the 1200 people killed and some 250 others taken hostage, according to Israel, when listed terrorist group Hamas launched its attack.
It's a difficult day for a Jewish community in mourning, which is made harder by hostages remaining captive under Hamas, StandWithUs executive director Michael Gencher has told a Sydney vigil.
"One year after the attack, we find ourselves still in the midst of mourning," he told gatherings in Bondi on Monday.
"There are still hostages, there is still war and the pain remains ongoing."
Jewish community leaders have decried a spike in anti-Semitism since the attack, with Zionist Federation of Australia CEO Alon Cassuto branding it "nothing but completely shocking".
Rallies and vigils are being held for those who have died in Gaza, following Israel's sustained counterattack, as the besieged strip remains under constant bombardment.
More than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to its local health ministry.
Thousands of people marched in Sydney and Melbourne on Sunday, calling for action against Israel and a free Palestine.
Australia Palestine Advocacy Network president Nasser Mashni said the past year had been framed as the start of conflict, which for Palestinians had really raged for more than 70 years.
Labor for Palestine NSW said "the community movement against genocide will not be silenced" after the police tried to stop the rally from going ahead.
Jewish leaders have criticised pro-Palestinian rallies and vigils on and just ahead of October 7, calling the timing "inappropriate".
Mr Gencher said he understood the heartache on both sides "but to choose this day, to me, feels as though it was done on purpose and . directed towards the Jewish community".
Jewish Labor MP Josh Burns struck a different tone, saying while his community needed space and time "to reflect and to mourn and to mark the loss of life, of family, of friends, of innocent people", empathy was needed.
"Grief is not a competition, this conflict hurts, it hurts people across many different communities," he told ABC radio.
"If we don't hold compassion and space for one another, how on earth can we expect people in the region to?"
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese marked the anniversary by mourning the loss of innocent lives and declaring there was no place for hatred in Australia.
"Jewish Australians have felt the cold shadows of anti-Semitism reaching into the present day and as a nation we say, never again," he said in a recorded message.
"Sorrow knows no boundaries and recognises no differences.
"The number of civilians who have lost their lives is a devastating tragedy."
Israel has launched its heaviest bombardment of Lebanon's capital Beirut since it escalated the conflict against Iranian-backed Hezbollah.
Separate strikes that hit a mosque and school in Gaza where people were sheltering killed at least 26.
The intensifeid bombardments have reignited concerns for Australians in Lebanon, as the federal government urges citizens and permanent residents to leave before the situation deteriorates further.
Nearly 900 Australians have been helped to leave as the federal government secures tickets on commercial airlines, with thousands more registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs, saying they wanted to leave.
Source: Fijian Broadcasting Cooperation
