Jewish leaders reach out to Gold Coast City Council to keep Israel sister city ties

The Gold Coast Jewish community is urging local leaders to reject calls by protesters demanding an end to a sister city relationship with Israel’s Netanya. Read when the decision is made

The Gold Coast Jewish community is calling on the City to reject calls by angry protesters demanding an end to a sister city relationship with Israel’s Netanya.

Their leaders have written to Mayor Tom Tate and governance committee chair Brooke Patterson expressing “deep concerns” about petitioners wanting the Gold Coast to withdraw its historic links with Netanya in Israel’s northern central district.

Temple Shalom board member and spokesperson Ben Naday said councillors had been thanked for continued support of the local Jewish community and reaching out with visits after the October 7 Hamas-led surprise attack on Israel.

“Sister city arrangements are about promoting friendship, cross-collaboration, and the Gold Coast’s reputation as a global and welcoming city. They shouldn’t be used as political footballs by radicals and terror apologists,” he said.

Protesters gather outside Gold Coast City Council chambers on Tuesday, May 28, to demand Council sever sister city ties with Netanya, Israel. Picture: Paul Weston

Councillors on June 18 noted a petition which calls for the City to withdraw its sister city relationship with Netanya. The councillors referred it to a committee and for a report.

The lodging of the petition sparked two protests which disrupted recent full council meetings as more than 20 protesters waved placards outside the Evandale Chambers at Bundall.

Mayor Tom Tate indicated the group was “welcome to come back with good behaviour”. A decision on the petition is not expected before the next meeting.

Extra security had been organised and ramped up after Cr Patterson claimed she was subjected to a “torrent of abuse”.

She was “rattled” after being called “not human” and a supporter of genocide by a constituent who contacted her office. It is not suggested the constituent was part of the protest.

Protesters gather outside Gold Coast City Council chambers on Tuesday 28 May 24 to demand Council sever sister city ties with Netanya, Israel. Picture: Paul Weston

Mr Naday said the protests were being staged when the Jewish community and supporters had been rallying against “the steady and alarming rise of antisemitism which is washing across Australia”.

“The Mayor and the vast majority of councillors have been a great support to our local community – especially since October 7,” Mr Naday said.

“Ultimately the actions of protesters are nothing more than an attempt to undermine the rule of law and our democratic process.

“At what point do these full-time agitators realise what they’re doing will make no iota of difference, other than to perpetuate their antisemitic bigotry in our community.”

Mr Naday estimates 8000 Jews are living in Queensland with the majority on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane.

“The message we are getting is not just from members of the Jewish community but also from our friends and allies in the community as well,” he said.

Pro-Palestine protesters have gathered outside the Gold Coast City Council Chambers on Tuesday 18.06.2024 in the lead up to a petition demanding the severing of sister city ties with Netanya being tabled at the full council meeting. Picture: Amaani Siddeek

He said the Never Again rally staged in Brisbane in June organised to stand against antisemitism had attracted thousands.

“A lot of Gold Coasters just don’t want to be swept up in the nastiness we have been seeing in Melbourne and down in Sydney. that is not what the Gold Coast is about (or) what Queensland is about,” Mr Naday said.

Mr Tate and several councillors had been “very open and very warm” to the community and visited the synagogue.

“We have a good conversation as well with our elected representatives, State and Federal level. We don’t feel the need that we have to go out and march in front of a chamber to get our message across when we can have a dialogue and a conversation as normal people in the democratic process do,” he said.

Mr Naday said the Coast’s multicultural groups had worked together “living side-by-side”.

“That sort of behaviour (the protest) doesn’t make certain individuals on the Coast feel safe. That’s not what this place is about, never has been,” he said.

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Originally published as Jewish leaders reach out to Gold Coast City Council to keep Israel sister city ties