Waverley Council takes the lead on antisemitism
'For the first time, many Jewish people are feeling unsafe in their communities, at work, in their schools and universities'
In a local government first, Waverley Council will formulate a local government antisemitism strategy that other councils will be able to follow.
Mayor Will Nemesh moved a mayoral minute on Tuesday night that will see the council hold a roundtable with the Sydney Jewish Museum, the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies and other stakeholders early in 2025 before formulating and adopting a plan.
“In the wake of the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, producing an antisemitism strategy and action plan is even more important for council to address the rise in prejudice, hate and division directed towards our Jewish residents,” Nemesh said. “I am committed to ensuring our Jewish community feels safe and valued.”
He added that the mayoral minute calls for the Jewish community to engage with council and be involved in producing the strategy.
“I will not accept nor tolerate antisemitism,” he said. “I am proud that under my mayoralty, Waverley Council is being a local government leader in developing policies and strategies to combat antisemitism.”
Addressing the Council meeting, NSW Jewish Board of Deputies CEO Michele Goldman noted the unprecedented explosion in antisemitism since October 7.
“For the first time, many Jewish people are feeling unsafe in their communities, at work, in their schools and universities,” she said.
“This motion sends a clear signal to the 10,000 Jews in Waverley that their leaders stand with them. The measures proposed by the mayor tonight are vital not just for the Jewish community but for the broader community as well.
“We strongly support the development of a comprehensive strategy to act pre-emptively and prevent further escalation. We hope this pioneering work to develop an antisemitism strategy will serve as a model for other local governments across the state.”
Also on Tuesday night, Liberal Randwick Councillor Daniel Rosenfeld successfully introduced a motion to combat antisemitic graffiti.
Greens councillor Claire Willington – supported by Phillipa Veitch – tried to amend the motion to remove the need for a security assessment and installation of CCTV, but Rosenfeld was supported by the majority of Labor councillors and all Liberal councillors.
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