ONE word — Iran — summed up the war between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, a 2500-strong gathering of Sydney’s Jewish community was told last night.

NSW Jewish Board of Deputies chief executive Vic Alhadeff laid the blame for the conflict with Iran, and denied last night’s gathering at the Great Synagogue was organised to counteract the publicity generated by the march of up to 25,000 Lebanese through the city on Saturday.

“What this issue is about is in one word: Iran,” he said.

“The criticism is that Israel has been excessive. The point that is missed is that proportionality is not about what happened yesterday, it is measured against the extent of the threat.

“The threat is enormous and extends to Iran’s world view, which is to destroy the state of Israel and to push every last Jew into the sea.”

While the words were strong, those present wanted to show their support for the Israeli Government over its handling of the Middle East conflict.

The immediate past president of the Zionist Federation of Australia, Ron Weiser, said he had never seen the Jewish communities in Australia and Israel so closely united.

“This is not a Left-Right issue — this is a threat to the existence of Israel,” he said.

Great Synagogue chief rabbi Jeremy Lawrence led the packed auditorium with a prayer for kidnapped soldiers: “Oh Lord ourGod, Supreme King of Kings, we pray today for the lives of ourbrothers. May we find them unharmed. May our own efforts for their liberation be blessed withsuccess.”

Rabbi Lawrence said there was a strong sense of solidarity and outrage among the Australian Jewish community over the attacks on Israel.

He said many were praying for a resolution that enabled Israel and its neighbours to live harmoniously and in peace, to respect each other’s human rights.

A string of highly charged speeches had the audience, from orthodox Jews in full traditional garb to teenagers in jeans and sneakers, in rapturous and emotional applause.

Political analyst Hirsh Goodman received a standing ovation when he declared: “This six million ain’t going nowhere.” He said the main lesson of the war was that Iran, as the backer of Hezbollah, could not be allowed to become a nuclear power with the capacity to destroy Israel.

Israel’s ambassador to Australia, Naftali Tamir, blamed Hezbollah and their backers in Iran and Syria for the conflict. “Nobody wants to see Palestinian or Lebanese mothers or fathers crying, or to witness the death of innocent Arabs as well as Israelis.”

Muslim leader condemns Islamic oppression — Page 4