Sydney’s Inner West Council unites to condemn rising antisemitism

The Inner West Council unanimously passed a motion condemning the alarming surge in antisemitic attacks across Sydney. The decision marks a strong commitment to combating racism and promoting social cohesion amid increasing concerns from the local Jewish community.

The Council’s resolution specifically denounced recent antisemitic incidents, including the vandalism and attempted firebombing of Newtown Synagogue in January. The motion also acknowledged that the harassment of Jewish residents by protesters at previous Council meetings—where local Jewish speakers were booed and hissed—was “overtly antisemitic and unacceptable.”

The motion was initially subject to debate, with The Greens attempting to present an alternative motion, which some in the community viewed as a “watered-down” response. However, after discussion, The Greens withdrew their motion and voted in favour of the final resolution, resulting in a unanimous vote.

Speaking at the meeting, Rabbi Eli Feldman of Newtown Synagogue expressed his deep gratitude to the Council for taking a strong stand. “I stand before you tonight, deeply moved by the efforts that have been put forward by the Mayor and this Council to address the surge in antisemitism that has shaken our community,” he said. “The recent rise in antisemitic attacks, including the terrifying attempted firebombing of Newtown Synagogue, is a stark reminder of the hatred that still exists in our society. Yet, we are not powerless in the face of this darkness. Together, as a united community, we can combat this hatred with the strongest weapon at our disposal: light and love.”

Rabbi Feldman praised Mayor Darcy Byrne, who has been “a very good friend and a strong supporter of the Jewish community.” Byrne played a leading role in organizing the recent mayoral roundtable to address social cohesion and took an unequivocal stance against antisemitism by tabling this motion. Feldman emphasized that the motion not only condemned antisemitism but also outlined practical steps to foster greater unity.

Uri Windt, a long-term resident and member of the Inner West Havurah, also spoke in support of the motion, highlighting the dangerous breakdown in social cohesion. “There’s no doubt that there’s been a breakdown in social cohesion in Australia,” he said. “The incidents are increasing in frequency and in the sort of danger and threat that they offer.” Windt urged the Council to facilitate difficult but necessary conversations between divided communities, even if such discussions must take place behind closed doors.

Richard Gray, a long-time Inner West local, described his personal connection to the Newtown Synagogue and the disturbing changes he has witnessed. “For six years, I lived across the road from the Newtown Synagogue and was warmly welcomed into that community as a non-Jew—a goy-father, if you will,” he said. “I saw it turn from a family-friendly space into a highly fenced, security-guarded place, and recently, it was vandalised with despicable Nazi symbols. It is abhorrent that Australians must be afraid for their safety and that of their children in their own country.”

Gray went on to highlight the severity of antisemitism across Australia. “We have all seen the despicable video of the nurses in Bankstown rejoicing in killing Jews under their care and promising harm or death to future Jewish patients! My daughter is a nurse, and she is ashamed at such hatred impacting her own profession.” He commended the Council’s leadership in confronting this issue and drew a historical parallel to Kristallnacht. “I am reminded of 1938 when the Nazi regime sanctioned the killing of Jews, the destruction of their property, and the torching of synagogues—all because the initial intimidation was allowed.”

The Council reaffirmed its opposition to the boycotting of Jewish businesses or any form of ethnically-based discrimination in procurement policies. Instead, it formally endorsed the Joint Statement of Sydney Mayors, which calls for unity and the rejection of all forms of hate.

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne emphasized the urgency of action, stating:

“The antisemitic attacks across the Inner West and Sydney have been getting out of control. Sadly, this has included overt antisemitism against Jewish residents in our own council chamber.”

“It’s a relief that all councillors from all parties have now voted to recognise that the harassment and intimidation of local Jewish people at the August 2024 Council meeting was appalling and must never happen again.”

He further stressed that with local Jewish residents experiencing real fear, there is “no room for equivocation” and that all elected representatives and the wider community must unite to stamp out antisemitism and extremism in all its forms.

The resolution commits the Council to concrete steps aimed at combating antisemitism and racism while fostering social cohesion in the Inner West. Key initiatives include an urgent briefing with police and Multicultural NSW to enhance community safety, $50,000 annually for local ethnic community projects through the Cultural Connections Program, further investment in Indigenous Survival Memorials, and a $120,000 investment in Anti-Racism Training developed in partnership with Western Sydney University to train local residents and Council staff on countering racist behaviours.

Rabbi Feldman emphasized that education and understanding are essential in this effort. “In times of adversity, one powerful truth remains: light dispels darkness. The darkness of hatred, fear, and ignorance that breeds antisemitism cannot endure when exposed to the brilliance of education, dialogue, and understanding.”

Additional measures include stronger community engagement on Harmony Day, using the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination to combat racism through meaningful public awareness campaigns, as well as employment initiatives promoting opportunities for diverse and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, including apprenticeships and professional development for Council staff.

Windt proposed that the Council use upcoming religious observances like Ramadan, Passover, and Easter as opportunities for intercultural engagement. “The danger of disharmony and the absence of conversations between people is that it will set the scene for the next phase, where people are not even able to generate cohesion down the track when the conflict ends.”

Gray concluded by emphasizing that a strong stand against antisemitism benefits the entire community. “A principled stand against antisemitism protects the whole community. We cannot allow one part of the community to be attacked.” Quoting W.B. Yeats, he warned, “Things fall apart, and the centre cannot hold. Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world.”

The Inner West Council’s resolution sends a clear message that antisemitism and all forms of racism will not be tolerated. By acknowledging past incidents, committing to concrete action, and endorsing a city-wide push for unity, the Council has taken a significant step in ensuring the Inner West remains a place of inclusion, safety, and respect for all communities.

The final resolution commits the Council to the following:

• Condemning the recent surge of antisemitic attacks and vilification directed towards Sydney’s Jewish community, including the attempted firebombing of Newtown Synagogue, harassment of local Jewish residents, and incidents of antisemitic graffiti in the Inner West.
• Recognizing the warnings of local Jewish leaders who have raised concerns about rising antisemitism and have called on elected representatives to take a strong stance against it.
• Acknowledging that the harassment and intimidation of Jewish residents at the August 2024 Council meeting, where protestors booed and hissed at Jewish speakers, was overtly antisemitic and unacceptable.
• Affirming that racism in all forms must be opposed, recognizing that other communities—including Indigenous Australians during the Voice referendum—have also been affected by rising discrimination.
• Noting that foreign affairs is not the remit of local government, but reaffirming that local government has an essential role in combating racism and promoting community cohesion at the grassroots level.
• Recognizing steps already taken by the Council to address antisemitism and racism, including the recent Mayoral Roundtable on Social Cohesion and the development of an Anti-Racism Strategy—the first of its kind by a local council in NSW.

The Council also committed to several key actions to combat antisemitism, racism, and support social cohesion, including:

• Holding an urgent briefing for all councillors with local police and Multicultural NSW to discuss community safety and cohesion strategies.
• Allocating $50,000 annually through the Cultural Connections Program to fund projects and programs that build relationships between different ethnic communities.
• Completing the installation of three Indigenous Survival Memorials across the Inner West, recognizing the resilience and history of First Nations people.
• Investing $120,000 over the next two years to develop an Anti-Racism Training Program in partnership with Western Sydney University, which will equip local residents and Council staff with skills to identify and respond to racist behaviour.
• Using the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination as a platform for ongoing campaigns to challenge racist beliefs and behaviours and strengthen the impact of Harmony Day.
• Enhancing employment measures to support economic participation for people from diverse backgrounds and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, including recruitment and professional development opportunities within Council.

This resolution was unanimously adopted, sending a clear message that antisemitism and all forms of racism will not be tolerated in the Inner West.