Jews felt ‘uncomfortable and marginalised’
A Liberal MP claims the normally bipartisan event was politicised, with Labor politicians criticising opposition leader Peter Dutton's stance on allowing refugees from Gaza into Australia.
[EXCLUSIVE] Controversy over refugees from Gaza has affected the Victorian Multicultural Gala Dinner in Geelong on Saturday night.
A Liberal MP claims the normally bipartisan event was politicised, with Labor politicians criticising opposition leader Peter Dutton’s stance on allowing refugees from Gaza into Australia.
Member for Caulfield David Southwick said several Gazan refugees wearing keffiyehs were sitting at the table of Multicultural Affairs Minister Ingrid Stitt.
“…which is ironic in that they [keffiyehs] are banned at the Parliament of Victoria, but welcome at a Victorian multicultural event in which ministers and premiers are present,” he said.
Stitt told the Gaza refugees, “Your journey here from Gaza has been etched in heartbreak and in trauma.
“The Victorian government welcomes you with open arms and I’m so proud to be sharing a table with you tonight.”
In her speech, Premier Jacinta Allan directly criticised Dutton, saying his remarks about Gazan refugees shocked her.
Allan said, “That kind of rhetoric pulls at the fabric of our nation, and it’s the last thing Muslim and Palestinian Australians deserve to hear, it’s the last thing all of our communities need to hear. If now is not the time to show compassion to all who want to seek refuge here then when is?”
Southwick said the whole event was used to win favour with Muslim voters.
“[This is] at the expense of the real hurt and suffering and pain that the Jewish community has gone through,” he said.
In response to inquiries from The AJN, Allan and Stitt issued a statement saying, “The Premier gave a strong speech that condemned violence and hate, criticised the federal government for proposing a cap on international students, and criticised the federal Opposition Leader for his inflammatory rhetoric on refugees. She stands by it.”
Southwick said some Liberal Party attendees were so shocked at what happened that they left in disgust after the speeches.
“I made it known to the head of the Multicultural Commission that we were leaving, and it was very disappointing that she allowed her event to be hijacked by the Premier and the Minister for Multicultural Affairs,” he said.
Naomi Levin, CEO of the Jewish Community Council of Victoria, said it has participated in many multicultural and interfaith exchanges in recent months.
“Our experience has shown that at this complex time, these events must be navigated with the utmost sensitivity. Regrettably, a number of Jewish attendees at the Victorian Multicultural Commission Dinner have reported to the JCCV that they felt uncomfortable and marginalised,” she said.
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