Who is The AJCL?
Questions are being asked about a little-known group in Sydney sporting the grandiose name “The Australian Jewish Communal Lobby”.
The organisation, hitherto unknown to many members of the Australian Jewish community, were mentioned in Melbourne tabloid “The Herald Sun” following the Reclaim Australia protests held around the country last weekend.
The Melbourne paper reported that The Australian Jewish Communal Lobby spokesman Daniel Hakim posted on the lobby’s Facebook page on Sunday an offer for free legal service.
Mr Hakim told the Herald Sun he did not believe claims that organisers or attendees at the rallies were neo-Nazis after photos emerged of protesters with tattoos believed to relate to Nazism.
Executive Director of The Executive Council of Australian Jewry Peter Wertheim and president Robert Goot issued the following joint statement:
“We are aware of a Facebook group known as the “Australian Jewish Communal Lobby.”
We wish to make clear that this group is in no way affiliated with the Executive Council of Australian Jewry or any other Jewish communal organisation and does not represent the
Australian Jewish community.
We understand that the group consists of an individual or individuals operating an open Facebook page, which has been known by different names since its inception.
Statements posted to the Facebook page operated by this group should be read as personal observations or comments and not statements on behalf of the Australian Jewish community.”
NSW Jewish Board of Deputies chief executive officer Vic Alhadeff added: “The self-styled internet group calling itself the Australian Jewish Communal Lobby doesn’t represent the Jewish community and is not affiliated to any communal organisation. We understand that the group basically consists of some individuals operating a Facebook page, and statements posted to that page are in no way issued on behalf of the Jewish community.
“Furthermore, we unreservedly condemn the Reclaim Australia rallies which were held last weekend; there is no place for bigotry in this country.”
J-Wire understands one member of the AJCL posted an unauthorised notice on the organisation’s FB page offering free legal advice to any “Reclaim Australia” demonstrators who were charged during their rallies.
J-Wire is awaiting comments from AJCL member Jarron Chester.
I am aware of a group called “The Executive Council of Australian Jewry” and wish to make it clear that this ‘council’ does not necessarily speak for me (a jew). Appartley they assume they do or should.
Does the Council have a problem with a diversity of views amongst jews? Narrow mindedness is not tolerated in this country.
Sorry Alan, but unfortunately narrow-mindedness is tolerated in this country. Remember the federal attorney-general, Senator Brandis, declaring that bigots also have right. And they certainly do, as demonstrated by the Reclaim Australia mob, which, shamefully, a number of Jews support.
I agree there should be no tolerance for racism , Bigotry , thuggery and using intimidation to prevent others from voicing their views.
I wait with anticipation for the [ICV] Islamic Council of Victoria to issue a press release unreservedly condemning the actions of the Anti- Semitic Socialist Alliance and Socialist Alternative stormtroopers in Melbourne on Saturday.