Nova Peris: I see you and I believe in you

Nova Peris’s speech to 7 October commemorations in Sydney on 6 October 2024.

Watch video of Nova Peris’s speech or read the transcript below.

Shalom.

Today we gather on the lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, the traditional custodians of these ancient lands, where their ancestors once walked, lived and survived for thousands of generations.

I acknowledge the inherent responsibility of culture and traditional practices passed on by the elders of this country to generations to protect and maintain the sacred sites and customs.

I’m a visitor to the Gadigal people’s land. I am Yaru Lunga Kitja, and Bunitj Gagadju.

Like all aboriginal people, we acknowledge that our sovereignty to the lands has never been ceded. Just like you, the Jewish people, whose sovereignty to the land of Israel has also never been ceded.

We have both maintained a profound bond with our lands, despite thousands of years of exile, dispossession and injustice.

Just as you all have an unbroken connection to the land of Israel, I, too, carry the legacy of our ancestors. Both Israel and this land hold stories of survival, identity, sacredness, language, song and sovereignty.

Ani mitztaer et hamakot. I offer my deepest condolences to all Jewish people for the lives lost. I am truly sorry. To the families mourning their loved ones. I am sorry and I pray with you all for the safe return of those still held captive.

I stand with you in your grief, praying for peace in Israel, your homeland.

Israel is a light unto the nations, extending its hand to help countries across the world. From disaster relief to technological aid, improving lives beyond its borders, these contributions have never just been local. They are global, showing the world the power of resilience, innovation and compassion.

Tikkun olam, the responsibility to repair the world is a powerful strength of your faith. You do not just live for yourselves, but for the betterment of humanity and mankind. Tikkun olam is deeply embedded in the spirit of the jewish people, guiding your actions to restore justice, promote kindness, and build peace.

The existence of one Jewish state, Israel, has a profound significance. It is a land where you’ve lived out this mission, not just for yourself, but for the whole world.

Today, as you always, you continue to stand tall, unbroken, unbowed. You are a testament to the strength of a people who have faced every goliath and emerged victorious.

Because of your faith, you seek to repair and improve the world. You pursue peace. You represent hope in the face of immense sorrow and loss. The resilience and strength of the Jewish people continue to shine throughout history’s darkest chapters.

Your enduring faith, unity and commitment to justice have been a beacon of hope for future generations.

In these challenging times, may you find comfort in the solidarity of those who stand with you, may you find the love within your communities grow even stronger.

Your legacy is one of perseverance, compassion, and a deep rooted belief in the triumph of light over darkness. The world will continue to witness the strength of your spirit with no atrocity can extinguish.

Like the ancient Dead Sea scrolls that tell the story of your survival and identity, so too does the sacred landscape of Australia. For me, from my country, Kakadu, to your Masada, both places speak of strength, continuity and a deep connection to the land. Kakadu is our Masada, a place where resilience is not only remembered, but lived through our struggles. The Jewish and Aboriginal people share a common thread of resistance against Eurasia and an unwavering bond to the land as the foundation of our identity.

Am Israel Chai. The people of Israel live not only in spirit, but in reality, standing proudly in your homeland of Israel and within this Australian land as well. Your history, your struggle and your triumphs have shaped both nations.

The Jewish people will continue to shape the future, contributing to the peace and prosperity of every land they call home. They say, only in the darkness do we see the stars. Your Magen David is your enduring symbol for a reason. It is everything. The Jewish people are the light in the darkness.

I see you. I believe you. And I believe in you. May be the source of strength who blessed the ones before us. Help us find the courage to make our lives a blessing, and let us all say amen. Todah rabah, Am Israel Chai.

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