Melbourne Gaza motion fails
"We thank the councillors – those who supported and opposed the motion – for engaging with the JCCV," says Philip Zajac.
A MOTION to support a ceasefire in Gaza failed at the Melbourne City Council on Tuesday night.
The vote was five to five and was broken by the casting vote of deputy lord mayor Nicholas Reece.
He told the meeting, “I think it will inflame, not heal, the tensions in the city. It will make a really challenging situation worse, not better.”
The motion – put forward by councillor Jamal Hakim – called for a permanent ceasefire, the release of all Israeli hostages and imprisoned Palestinians, and advocacy for an end to “illegal Israeli settlements and the illegal occupation of Palestinian territories”.
A pro-Palestinian demonstration outside the Town Hall as the meeting was being held saw a scuffle break out when a group of Jewish people attempted to attend the meeting. They were escorted away by police and were told they were the ones causing a disturbance. The group was told to move on, and one of them was told he was banned from from entering Melbourne for 24 hours.
Sharon Mason, who was part of the group of Jews, believes the police are appeasing the mob.
She said, “We were escorted away to chants of ‘Get out Zionist pigs’. It’s not right for [police] to actually allow these violent mobs to take over the streets … how much longer are they going to make the city such an inhospitable and threatening place?”
Victoria Police have been contacted for comment.
Jewish Community Council of Victoria president Philip Zajac said a lot of work was done by the community to help councillors understand the impact that motions like these have on Jewish residents, workers and visitors to the City of Melbourne.
“We thank the councillors – those who supported and opposed the motion – for engaging with the JCCV. It is important that all voices are heard, including that of the Victorian Jewish community,” he said.
One of the councillors who opposed the motion, Roshena Campbell, said, “I have been horrified to hear about Jewish businesses being plastered with antisemitic material and Jewish residents, workers and visitors feeling unsafe – it is unacceptable. As local councillors we should stay out of foreign policy and focus on making the city safe.”
Caulfield MP David Southwick had earlier urged Council to reject the motion, saying he was deeply alarmed about it as it could cause conflict and division.
“I fear it may only embolden and inflame those seeking to cause the Jewish community harm,” he said.
The AJN has contacted councillor Hakim, who moved the motion, but he did not respond by press time.
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