Social cohesion is supposedly the order of the day. Our rights are being steadily eroded in its honour.

One would hardly imagine that a religious institution would host a political figure for whom fear and division are lifeblood. Yet, on February 20, Emanuel Synagogue hosted Opposition Leader Peter Dutton.

Dutton’s current shtick is weaponising antisemitism for political gain, specifically to intensify the persecution of immigrants, asylum seekers, welfare recipients, environmental defenders and of course pro-Palestinian activists.

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For Jews who quake at the growing influence of the far right in this country, his welcome into a synagogue is profoundly unsettling.

In the looming shadow of the laws against protest near places of worship, which had not then been passed, three anti-Zionist Jewish women decided to challenge this egregious abuse of the sanctity of the synagogue.

Surely, a place of worship relinquishes its status as a sacred space when it becomes the venue for a political event?

Two of us, Judith Treanor and Suzie Gold, stood several metres from the synagogue entrance, holding small innocuous signs.

The head security wrangler quickly arrived and asked why we were there and if we were part of the community.

Treanor pointed out that the latter wasn’t his concern, but confirmed our Jewish identity and intention to protest Dutton’s attendance at the synagogue. She found it deeply........

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