Investigations on hate speech in Sydney dropped
The Daily Mail has reported that Muslim clerics found to be delivering hate sermons will not be prosecuted.
Dr Colin Rubenstein
The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) today expressed its “deep disappointment” and “frustration” at the news that State and Federal police have dropped their investigations into hate speech by a number of clerics in southwest Sydney in the wake of the October 7 wave of mass-murder attacks in Israel.
AIJAC Executive Director Dr Colin Rubenstein said: “I am deeply disappointed and frustrated that State and Federal police have dropped their investigations into hate-speech by clerics in southwest Sydney.
We acknowledge that the Minns Government passed laws last week and they should become operational as soon as possible.
How can a small group of clerics be allowed to propagate hate from the pulpit and fail to be held to account? The community is scratching their heads in bewilderment. The reported comments were as blatant as anyone could imagine. If these comments were not prosecutable under Australia’s hate speech laws, it is hard to see what would be.
No one should be permitted to preach hate towards another group or a minority without facing tough consequences.
If we are to strive to maintain our harmonious, democratic multicultural society that is free from incitement to violence, then it is essential that our relevant State and Federal laws are workable and enforceable. Make no mistake, hate speech has no place in our society.
The Jewish community has long advocated changes to State and Federal race hate laws and AIJAC wrote in early November asking State and Federal leaders and their shadow ministerial counterparts that they urgently consider toughening up our laws in this area.”
J-Wire approached the New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies for comment.
Muslim parents take their children to the mosque and they are bombarded with hate messages about Jews and encouraged to kill Jews. Is this the “education” our government wants young Muslim/Australian children to be brainwashed with.
Why are these dangerous clerics not being prosecuted or sent back where they came from?
Why is the cleric who announced on the steps of the opera house that he was was “so happy…ecstatic” following the horrendous murder and abduction of Jewish babies, young people and old people by the terrorist group, Hamas, not being prosecuted.
Whatever happened to Australian values, giving people a “fair go”?
Whatever happened to the feeling that Australia is a free and open society where there is mutual respect and people feel safe and protected?
What a shocker! and yet not unexpected. It’s about time action was taken by police and government instead of them just saying ‘the right things’ as response to hate speech such as we saw from these clerics. It doesn’t get much worse than what they said, and yet … nothing, nothing happens as consequence. And all that does is give them licence to continue with more.
What is wrong with our people in authority in this country? What are they really thinking?