Perth Newspaper Rejects Advert
It is rare to hear of a newspaper turning down advertising, but Perth’s Jewish newspaper has done just that.
The Maccabean, Perth’s Jewish community newspaper, is refusing to carry advertisements placed by the New Israel Fund Australia (NIF).
The advertisements promoted a September 13 screening of hit Israeli TV show Magash Hakesef (The Silver Platter) which had been booked to run in two editions of the local paper.
Liam Getreu, Executive Director of NIF received a brief email telling him that the Maccabean management had reached a decision that it was unable to accept the ads.
The Chair of The Maccabean Tony Tate wrote: “The Management Committee of The Maccabean has exercised its right to decline requests to lodge advertisements. We do not intend to further discuss this decision, as has been our policy on this matter since our inception.”
Although contact has been made with its management, the paper has refused to provide him with any further explanation.
“There is no excuse for censorship in the Jewish community. Community spaces should be marketplaces of ideas where all perspectives are welcome and given equal opportunity,” writes Getreu on the fund’s website.
“Magash Hakesef deals with issues like poverty and economic inequality in Israel. Virtually every Israeli charity in the community is working to alleviate suffering, and this popular Israeli TV show shines a light on it in a powerful and unique way. The desire for social justice in Israel is universal – there is no reason for the Maccabean to censor it.
“If Magash Hakesef attracted 1.5 million viewers when it screened in Israel, we think it’s an important enough documentary to be made available to the community here.
“We’ve never had an ad rejected before like this” Getreu told J-Wire.
He added that NIF would welcome a discussion with The Maccabean management to resolve the issue and ensure the screening of Magash Hakesef can be advertised to members of Perth’s Jewish community.
The Maccabean’s secretary/treasurer Phil Samuell told J-Wire about the paper’s statement to NIF: “I do not have anything further to add.”
The NIF website has launched a petition calling on The Maccabean to end its censorship of the New Israel Fund.
Fringe far left wing groups such as NIF, JStreet , AJDS are divisive and not making any positive contribution to our community. .
“The Australian Jewish News” does, however, publish advertisements placed by this nefarious anti-Israel fund.
…and so does J-Wire
Congratulations to The Maccabean on its stand against NIF.The fact that NIF sources its funds from creatures like George Soros is testament to the fact that it’s an organisation out to destroy the Jewish state.
If you want to engage in any nefarious activity with impunity, just attach the word “censorship” to any one who opposes that malodorous malfeasance, and, in the mind of the perpetrator, the alchemy of linguistic perversion will magically transform the transgression into a virtue.
Those who seek to deny “The Maccabean” the liberty and civil and human right to pursue the course of justice, equity, truth, integrity and progress, that is, the course of defending Israel, have been shamed.
Natan Alterman, one of the Jewish people’s greatest poets, who coined the phrase, “magash hakesseff,” would have been wounded by the spectacle of his coinage being cynically and shamefully exploited by those who seek to harm the state for which he laboured with all his might.
It was actually Chaim Weizmann who coined the phrase, but Alterman has immortalised it.
Congratulations, It makes me proud to see a WA publication making a stand.
It is interesting that the decision to refuse the advertisement is being decried as censorship. If the editot is allowed no discretion then we could legitimately ask to know the identity of the person(s) in charge but the onus is on NIC to prove their charge of censorship by exposing the controlling power. These demands for “free speech” are boring – most of us don’t want to listen.
It’s heartwarming to know that there is a Jewis newspaper, with integrity and has the conviction to reject an advertisement from the New Israel Fund and all ‘ funds’ ,groops’ ones that wish to delegitimise and undermine Israel. All these ‘ new ‘ Jewish movements ,wish to promote and highlight Jewish disunity, help Israel’s enemies, eaven to compromise Israel’s security. Delusional self loathing Jews who have never experienced violence,bullying and loathing are betraying the majority. They should read my book.
“The 4th of May” by Paul Galy OAM.
Being unfamiliar with the subject of the relevant article I read up on the related ones above. A comment by David Adler in particular: New Leadership for the NIF, and his toxic reminiscing of Pre WW11 Jews stood out for me especially in todays climate and the now declassified documments claiming Israel supplied weapons to the Argentine dictatorship and the terror experienced by the Jewish community.
What was toxic to me was the fact the Catholic hierarchy and one now deceased pope [and the present one], with it’s own religous and laity suffering at the hands of the dictatorship both receiving accolades knew what was going on and was financially supported by the government.
Personally, I’m wondering if those within the Jewish community who received them will be handing back their papal honours.
NIF is known for its support or at least approval of organisations which are
sharply aligned against the State of Israel.
It thus has no right to expect any form of acceptance by any organ of the Jewish community.
I applaud the principled stand taken by the Maccabean.
There are abundant credible reports from multiple reliable sources that the NIF provides millions of dollars per year (about 20% of its funds) to about 25 NGOs active in campaigns that portray Israel as a racist, apartheid state; undermine Israel’s right to exist; accuse Israel of war crimes; and promote boycotts, divestment and sanctions (BDS), aimed at destroying Israel as a Jewish nation.
NIF also promotes the notion that Israel’s Jewishness is at odds with its democratic character. Some NIF-funded NGOs advocate for dismantling Israel’s Jewishness, including replacing the flag and the national anthem, and promote the Palestinian “right of return,” to demographically eliminate Jewish self-determination.
Every business can choose with who it does business. I wouldn’t expect a Jewish-community newspaper to do business with an organization that supports both anti-Zionist and anti-Jewish campaigns…
I’m sure that the Maccabean wouldn’t take an advertisement from Jews for Jesus as the movement purports to be Jewish but actually represents ideas that are antithetical to Judaism.
Many people see how the NIF purport to represent Zionist ideals, yet their funding gets directed to NGO’s that are anti-Zionist.
What’s the difference?
I think many people in Perth have no issue with the topic of the movie or the conversation about economic inequality in Israel. They do however have an issue with the NIF as the organisation that is hosting the event due to the well documented support that this organisation directs to causes that ultimately harm the people of Israel.
Good on the Maccabean for holding firm against an anti Israel cause. A line has to be drawn in the sand to protect the community and uphold the values that make us strong.
I think Liam needs to come clean about what NIF is really doing in Australia ? NIF are showing a movie to raise funds to support their other causes which are never referred or declared in an open and transparent manner. What have they got to hide ?
The Maccabean is, most obviously, NOT a newspaper: It’s a propaganda sheet for the Jewish right, who I suspect want section 18C repealed so they too can enjoy the freedom to racially abuse Muslims.
The NIF really means NO Israel Fund.
Nearly all their advocacy is against the interests of Israel.
Well done Maccabean. Maybe the AJN will learn from you.
Kol HaKavod, Perth Maccabean, on your principled and courageous stand!
I applaud the courage of The Maccabean.
it’s fine for social issues to be discussed and actions taken in Israel by Israelis living there. But when the Sate of Israel is under attack world wide by BDS and Pro-Palestinian supporters it behoves all Jews in the diaspora to support Israel. Donate to any body you liker but le5t’s not give political capital and oxygen to our opponents
Ethics are ethics when it comes to NIF!
There is no middle ground
Stand your ground MACCABEAN!
This group (NIF) has a lot to learn not only about
Moral equivalance but moral “intelligence “!
There is no place on our globe, in these times, for double
Standards.
Well done The Maccabean. The NIF is a scourge and should be shunned by the whole Jewish community