Dear Mr Mayor, Mr CEO
Whilst it could be considered a necessary response to recent, well-publicised antisemitic attacks in Australia, which, according to ASIO, were at the behest of Iran, I hope that the 2025 Australian Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism does not conflate protests against Israel’s actions with antisemitism.
A quote from ABC Gold Coast News – Jewish Council of Australia (JCA) has condemned mayors and councillors attending the event and called for them to boycott the summit.
JCA was formed in February 2024, as a response to the war in Gaza and a “need for an Australian Jewish voice against the conflation of antisemitism and criticism of Israel.”
In a statement, executive officer of the Jewish Council Max Kaiser said boycotting the event was “the right thing to do given the blind support for Israel’s war by conference organisers”.
In fact, Australia’s Special Envoy Jillian Segal’s Plan to Combat Antisemitism appears to do just that, according to Amnesty International.
The United Nations, governments, and everyday people of all faiths all over the world, in condemning these actions, are calling for an end to the genocide and war crimes carried out by Israel in Gaza and the West Bank.
Could I please repeat my request that the Christian Prayer read at Full Council Meetings be replaced with a multi-faith statement that does not exclude any beliefs, religious or not.
Instead, an inclusive statement covering all residents and tourists to our city.
Thank you for your consideration.
(received no reply at all)
