‘Hatred erodes fabric of society’
Reece highlighted the way recent protests in Melbourne's streets concerning the conflict in Gaza show the risk of importing international conflicts.
The lord mayor of Melbourne, Nicholas Reece, has told the Jewish community he stands firmly against antisemitism.
The former Labor Party official, lawyer and journalist is running to retain the position in next month’s local government elections with several candidates for council as Team Nicholas Reece.
In an op-ed for The AJN, available in full online, he said it must be painful for Jews to see public displays of hate and antisemitic graffiti in the city.
“That’s why the City of Melbourne has implemented a one-hour removal policy for antisemitic graffiti. We are committed to removing these vile symbols of hate as quickly as possible to ensure that public spaces remain safe and welcoming for all,” he wrote.
He said this is part of a broader effort to combat antisemitism and all forms of hatred in Melbourne.
Reece also highlighted the way recent protests in Melbourne’s streets concerning the conflict in Gaza show the risk of importing international conflicts.
As acting lord mayor, he was the one who cast the tie-breaking vote against a city council motion calling for a ceasefire in Gaza put forward by councillor Jamal Hakim in February.
He wrote, “While Australians have the right to peacefully protest, it is crucial that we do not allow tensions from foreign conflicts to spill over into our communities, causing division and inflaming hatred.
“We must recognise that targeting the Jewish community or protesting at synagogues about the actions of a government overseas is fundamentally antisemitic.”
Reece believes the rise in antisemitism since October 7 “is not just a problem for the Jewish people – it is a problem for all of us”.
“Hatred, discrimination, and bigotry towards any group erodes the fabric of our society and undermines the very values that make our society strong,” he said.
Jewish people living outside the City of Melbourne may in fact be eligible to vote there and not realise it. Anyone who owns or pays rates on a property in the council area, including an investment or holiday home, may be entitled to a vote.
A corporation that exclusively owns or occupies rateable property within the City of Melbourne can register two company officers who can also vote.
Residents who live elsewhere but receive a City of Melbourne voting paper are advised not to assume it’s a mistake, but fill it in carefully and send it back.
Read the op-ed in full: australianjewishnews.com
comments