NSW political leaders sign London Declaration
NSW Opposition Leader John Robertson and Premier Barry O’Farrell have today jointly signed the London Declaration on Combating Anti-Semitism at Parliament House.
John Robertson, Yair Miller and Premier Barry O’Farrell
The historic ceremony in the Parkes Room was witnessed by Yair Miller, President of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies.
“I am honoured to sign the London Declaration and to do so with Premier Barry O’Farrell in a spirit of bipartisanship,” Mr Robertson said today.
“Leaders of political parties have a duty to speak out against antisemitism – and we speak stronger when it is with one voice.
Our signatures follow those of Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott and leaders and parliamentarians from around the world.
The horror of the Holocaust teaches us that evil and bigotry can take hold unless they are vigorously opposed and challenged.
The London Declaration illustrates our ongoing determination to fight antisemitism wherever it exists.
Hatred will always be defeated by reason, enlightenment – and the hearts of decent people.”
State Labor frontbencher and NSW Parliamentary Friends of Israel deputy chair Walt Secord, who witnessed the signing by the two political leaders said: “It was a wonderful to witness such an historic occasion”
“In a place where we divide on so many issues, it was great to witness the Premier and the Leader of the Opposition come together and a jointly sign a document opposing the hatred of antisemitism,” Mr Secord said.
I am all for educating the general public about the Holocaust and combating antisemitism – but you have left you a substantial part of the Holocaust. Between half a million and a million Sinti and Roma were murdered by the Nazis for the same reason as six million Jews – both were deemed by the Nazis to have poisonous blood that would pollute the purity of the Aryan ‘master-race’. These two ethnic minorities were scheduled for total annihilation although there were other groups attacked for various other reasons.
Antisemitism is certainly still a problem to be challenged but the current Roma and Travellers are the most unjustly treated and persecuted minority today all over Europe and also in the US, Canada and Australia. Is New Zealand exempt?
With all good wishes
Ruth Barnett, London UK
Speaker challenging stereotypes and prejudice and humn right activist for Rene Cassin
As the Premier ranks ahead of the Opposition leader in any recognised order of precedence, is there a reason for reversing that order in your report? Signing is a bi-partisan action initiated by the Prime Minister with the federal opposition’s response being organised by the energetic MP Josh Frydenberg. Mr Robertson’s welcome statement in support of the London Declaration should not elevate him to lead your report.
I know I have asked this question before: where were all these politicians EIGHT year ago when the now signed Declaration first came out !
This time, however, I shall add: where were our communal leaders at the same time over the same issue, because I do not remember any of them raising the issue AT ALL until a few weeks ago !!
C’mon Yair when did YOU first put the issue on the table – as on reccord – because photo oportunities with the same polies you have had sooooo many !!