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.