ECAJ call for bipartisan support
"The Coalition has been unequivocal in its approach to condemning antisemitism," says Peter Dutton.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton has endorsed the 15-point plan to counter antisemitism developed by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ), which was announced at the Sky News antisemitism summit on February 20 by ECAJ Co-CEO Alex Ryvchin.
“The Coalition supports this plan and is committed to enacting the measures for which the federal government has responsibility, to ensure antisemitism has no place in our country,” Dutton told the Sunday Telegraph. “The Coalition has been unequivocal in its approach to condemning antisemitism – and we will continue to do so under my leadership at all times,” he said.
Ryvchin welcomed Dutton’s response on social media, “We thank @peterduttonmp for supporting the Plan of Action and hope the Prime Minister will now make it bipartisan,” he said.
The ECAJ wrote to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Dutton on February 28, asking both parties to endorse the plan or explain why they did not support it, stating it would publish their responses ahead of the next election. According to the Sunday Telegraph, the response from the Prime Minister is on its way.
The 15-point plan (summarised here) calls for:
1. The federal government to declare a national emergency and establish a Joint Counter-Terrorism Taskforce.
2. Uniform policing guidelines, and intelligence and law enforcement to be trained in understanding antisemitism.
3. Antisemitism education in the national curriculum.
4. A public awareness and advertising campaign to debunk antisemitism.
5. A national ban on encampments and disruption of lectures by student protesters.
6. A judicial inquiry into antisemitism at Australian universities.
7. Universities to disclose funding from foreign governments and foundations with links to foreign governments or to listed terrorist organisations.
8. Legislation to overcome restrictions on disciplinary action against academics.
9. Religious and other charitable institutions to have their charity status and all funding revoked if they promote racism.
10. Greater scrutiny of the sources and use of funds administered by charities.
11. Immigration officers to be trained to recognise antisemitism and to assess whether applicants have promoted antisemitism which would disqualify them under the character test.
12. The Migration Act to be enforced or amended so that antisemitic conduct is grounds to refuse a new visa or cancel an existing visa.
13. New social media algorithms regulation legislation to counter foreign interference.
14. Government grants to festivals and individuals should come with a condition that the recipient does not spread racism and that grants can be revoked.
15. A balance of views and perspectives on literary and cultural festival boards.
Commenting on ECAJ’s plan, Ryvchin stated, “The plan shifts the examination of antisemitism from the problems to the solutions. If implemented, it will return antisemitism to the far fringes of our society, restore public safety, and will again make Australia a place where all are free to display their faith and identity.”
The AJN asked Albanese’s office for comment, but a response was not received by press time.
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