Councils’ joint memorial
“A public art installation would acknowledge the enduring importance of commemorating the events of 7 October 2023," says Woollahra mayor Sarah Swan.
Woollahra and Waverley Councils will partner to create a permanent public art installation commemorating the October 7, 2023 atrocities.
Woollahra Council resolved in favour of the installation at its Monday evening meeting, following the lowering of the Israeli flag that has flown outside Woollahra Council Chambers for the past 12 months.
Woollahra mayor Sarah Swan has been in contact with Waverley mayor Will Nemesh about collaborating on the project, which will be erected near the border of the two local government areas. A possible location is Christison Park, Vaucluse, the site of the recent Jewish community vigil.
“Council unanimously raised the flag on 10 October 2023 as a sign of solidarity with the Jewish community here and abroad. The Jewish faith recognises a year of Shiva – a year of mourning – and this has now passed,” Swan said.
“A public art installation would acknowledge the enduring importance of commemorating the events of 7 October 2023.
“We must never forget these horrendous events, and we recognise the incredible strength, faith and hope of the Jewish community and the wider community who are united in seeing the remaining hostages returned to their families.”
At Waverley Council’s meeting on Tuesday night, a motion moved by Nemesh welcomed the Woollahra resolution and committed to working with the neighbouring Council.
“Over a year has passed since the devastating attacks on Israel by the terrorist organisation Hamas,” Nemesh told The AJN.
“We must honour the memory of these tragic events, while also acknowledging the extraordinary resilience and strength of the Jewish community and all those standing in solidarity, especially in the call for the safe return of the remaining hostages.
“Waverley Council is proud to partner with Woollahra Council and stands with the Jewish community.”
Nemesh also moved a motion concerning antisemitic graffiti – 129 incidents in the last month – in the Waverley municipality.
It welcomed a police investigation, pledged that council will continue to immediately remove any graffiti, that it will undertake a security assessment – including the possibly increasing the number of CCTV cameras – and that a register of incidents will be provided every six months to police, the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies and the Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism.
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