The Jew with the bloodied torso was being brutalised, lashed, and abused. I was seated in row B of the stalls, near enough to the stage to see the violence up close … albeit staged, not real. But really confronting. I felt vaguely comforted that no one in the crowd of 2,000 cheered, but watched in silent remorse. I took it as a good sign, a counterpoint to the vile antisemitic nature of street mobs – and the Labor government.
Jesus Christ Superstar (currently at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre) is achingly relevant to the state of the world today, fusing anti-Christian and antisemitic sentiments in a single dramatic flourish, driven by the irresistibly powerful music of Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics of Tim Rice.
Swirling in the air at the same time is the realisation that Australia is now a cold war with Israel’s Jews. The 39 lashes on stage are symbolic of the anguish inflicted on Israel the very day I watched as a Jew was crucified on stage. Outside the theatre, the International Criminal Court (‘criminal’ now a self-descriptor) was issuing an arrest warrant for Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. Theirs is an attempted crucifixion born of the same sort of hatred and false accusations that characterised the high priests’ demand that Pilate crucify Jesus.
The ICC’s warrants claim Netanyahu and Gallant have used ‘starvation as a method of warfare’ by restricting humanitarian aid, and targeted civilians intentionally – charges Israel denies. And only antisemites believe.
In her response, Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong stuck to a meaningless platitude, saying Australia was ‘focused on working with countries that want peace to press for an urgently needed ceasefire’ and respecting the ICC’s independence. Independence? From what, human decency?
Ever since October 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists slaughtered and took captive Israeli residents, Australia’s Labor Party has shown a cold insensitivity to the attacks on Israel and Jews everywhere. That has gradually turned into a sullen antipathy, with the UN chamber used to signal to the world how morally bankrupt Australia has become. How ‘with it’ we are officially in our antisemitic view of the world. Extremist Imams screech their hatred of Jews in our streets and mosques, mobs rally to support Hamas and Hezbollah undeterred by police and unconcerned that they are not only breaking the law but breaking the bond that has traditionally united Australians – residents and citizens – in a tolerant embrace, differences notwithstanding. No more. Labor’s legacy is being forged in these events by its amoral attempt to curry favour with Muslim voters.
Jesus was a Jewish revolutionary who loosened the strictest shackles of the faith that excluded women and introduced an early form of enlightenment, favouring love and forgiveness. He had the guts to stick to his beliefs.
You don’t have to be a Christian to abhor Labor’s gutlessness; you don’t have to believe that Jesus is the son of God to believe that principles in politics matter. The newly befouled Labor party has sacrificed what remained of its integrity on the altar of antisemitism for 30 pieces of voting silver … which may well lose their value before they can be spent. Judas never got to spend his…
