Randwick stoush over flying Israeli flag
The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council has formally congratulated Randwick City Council for standing firm on its decision to fly the Israeli flag for Yom Ha’atzmaut – in the face of moves to rescind the decision.
Randwick protest
On Tuesday night, Greens Councillor Michael Olive unsuccessfully tried to trigger an “urgent” debate to rescind the resolution passed at the February meeting.
The call for an urgent debate on the Israeli flag decision was defeated nine to six.
AIJAC has written to Randwick Mayor Councillor Dylan Parker to express its appreciation for its decision to maintain its February 28 resolution to fly the Israeli flag over Randwick Town Hall later this month.
The official letter was from Mark Leibler, AIJAC National Chairman; Dr Colin Rubenstein, AIJAC executive director; Paul Rubenstein, NSW AIJAC Chairman and Jeremy Jones – AIJAC’s Director of International and Community Affairs.
Mr Leibler and Dr Rubenstein said: “It will be a significant expression of support to see the Israeli flag flying atop Randwick Town Hall.”
They acknowledged that Mayor Parker (Labor) was “key in ensuring that the original resolution remained in place” and expressed appreciation to Councillor Daniel Rosenfeld (Liberal), who originally proposed the motion and Councillor Noel D’Souza (Independent) who seconded it.
Mr Leibler and Dr Rubenstein said: “We understand that there were unsuccessful moves to rescind the Israeli flag resolution and we appreciate your openness and willingness to engage at this time.”
“Once again, we are pleased that you and your council acknowledged the significance to the Jewish community of the occasion on April 26 – Yom Ha’atzmaut – which marks the 75th anniversary of the declaration of independence for the modern State of Israel.”
Residents gathered outside the council meeting to protest its decision to fly the Israeli flag, which has sparked outrage from some.
Those who oppose flying the flag say with ongoing allegations of human rights abuses by Israel against Palestinians, to do so would be an affront to Australia’s values of equality and pluralism.
Palestinian Maroubra resident Yahya Shehabi said he was horrified at the council’s decision to raise the Israeli flag.
“Implicitly or explicitly, it would communicate that the council condones the actions of the most right-wing government in Israel’s history,” Professor Shehabi said.
“I have many Jewish friends, and colleagues in medicine, we share lots of values about life and humanity, but Israel doesn’t share those values.”
NSW Jewish Board of Deputies chief executive Darren Bark firmly supported Randwick Council flying the Israeli flag as a message of inclusivity for the area’s large Jewish population, for whom he says the anniversary of Israel’s 1948 independence is a historic occasion.
“NSW and Israel share a warm, long-lasting relationship based on common values,” Mr Bark said.
“The flying of the Israeli flag reinforces that no matter our background, our faith or the language we speak, everyone is welcome and has a place to call home in our cohesive, multicultural state.”
Jewish Maroubra resident Michelle Berkon said the flag does not represent her, or her contribution to the local community.
“I am the descendant of Holocaust survivors whose lived Jewishness embodied the polar opposite of Israel’s brutality towards the Palestinians,” she said.
At the request of residents including Palestinians, Jews, Christians and human rights advocates, the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network supported and helped draw attention to the protest.
The motion voted on by the council back in February to fly the flag also included writing to the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies and other prominent Jewish leaders acknowledging the contribution made by the Jewish community to Randwick City.
The motion was passed 10-4, with one of those against being deputy mayor and Greens councillor Rafaela Pandolfini.
Fellow Greens councillors Kym Chapple, Michael Olive and Philipa Veitch also voted against the motion.
Ms Pandolfini said flying the flag of another country above a town hall should only be done with careful consideration and take into account potential hurt to community members.
“The proposal is particularly troubling with recent events in Israel including the storming of the Al-Aqsa mosque and attacks by the current ri ght-wing government on the judiciary,” she said.
At the same meeting, the council voted in favour of flying the Greek flag on March 25 to celebrate 202 years of Greek independence.
Randwick City Council is based in Sydney’s east and is the second oldest local government area. It has more than 135,000 residents.
AAP/J-Wire
Thank you, Randwick City Council, for standing by your decision to fly the Israeli flag in honour of the 75th year of the modern State of Israel. It’s not about all the political, ideological stuff spouted by Professor Shehabi, it’s simply about Israel’s foundation in 1948, going on to survive and prosper through to 2023.