Marrickville makes amends
FOUR years after its attempt to adopt the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) campaign against Israel as policy, Marrickville Council has taken a step towards redemption with a unanimous condemnation of anti-Semitism.
The vote to endorse a mayoral minute condemning anti-Semitism comes in the wake of graffiti found last month on a sign advertising the business of Jewish councillor Rosana Tyler.
Tyler, who is the president of Newtown Synagogue, told The AJN that an unknown good Samaritan has also now removed the offending graffiti.
“That somebody would actually take the time to do that because they think it’s wrong, it’s just heartwarming,” she said.
She said the Council “certainly have redeemed themselves” in her eyes after the divisive attempt to join BDS four years ago.
“The mayoral minute was very strongly worded,” she said.
“Most of the councillors that evening spoke against anti-Semitism and spoke basically in my favour and said some very lovely things, and I was very glad of their support.”
She added that the graffiti and subsequent condemnation happening around the same time that Marrickville’s Red Rattler Theatre rejected Jewish group Hillel, “has really helped to focus people’s minds on the fact that we had a simmering problem”.
Marrickville Mayor Mark Gardiner said that in Australia – “and especially in Marrickville” – everyone has a “fundamental right to dignity and respect”.
“It is utterly deplorable that anti-Semitism exists in 2015 and absolutely reprehensible that anyone could be subjected to the treatment councillor Tyler has endured,” he said.
“I’m pleased that all my fellow councillors did not hesitate for one moment to join with me and say this is not acceptable.”
The Mayor last week also welcomed the apology from the board of the Red Rattler Theatre.
“You can imagine my shock and disappointment when I read that the Red Rattler had refused to allow Hillel access to their venue,” he said.
“It was with great relief that I heard last night that the Red Rattler Board of Directors had apologised unreservedly and wholeheartedly.”
NSW Jewish Board of Deputies CEO Vic Alhadeff welcomed the mayoral minute and thanked Cr Gardiner for “speaking out on these issues”.
“It sends an important message,” he said. “The hate campaign against Councillor Tyler was outrageous and incidents such as this happen far too often. We have to continue working to ensure there is no repeat of this type of behaviour.”
GARETH NARUNSKY
Rosana Tyler and Marrickville Mayor Mark Gardiner (centre) with their fellow councillors.
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