Over the Sabbath, I met the Israelis who were bashed in Perth a few days ago. I can confirm that this was likely not motivated by anti-Semitism or anti-Israel sentiment, given that the perpetrators were a gang of Aborigines (I myself have been on the receiving end of some of their “love” a long time ago). Why no-one stopped and helped is still a mystery though.
One of the Israelis is now in a wheelchair and is flying out tonight because of the senseless attack. When I asked him about the attack, he gave me the typical Israeli response: Gam zu l’Tova (‘Also this is for the good’).
I tell you, there’s nothing like Israeli optimism. I could do with some of that myself right about now.