City of Sydney mayor boycotts meeting calling for extra security and CCTV at synagogues and schools

Sydney mayors met to talk safety around areas at high risk of anti-Semitic attacks. Clover Moore wouldn’t attend after a row over a statement that condemned anti-Semitism and not Islamophobia.

Clover Moore defiantly boycotted a Sydney mayor round table convened to boost social cohesion in the face of rising racism after a row over a statement that condemned anti-Semitism and not Islamophobia.

The controversial politician — known for her green socialist policies and art flops like the multimillion-dollar “Cloud Arch” and “Milk Crate”, along with bike lanes and anti-car proposals – fell out with the 21 Sydney mayors who met to thrash out plans to promote cultural cohesion in the aftermath of the October 7 atrocities.

It is understood the City of Sydney mayor bailed when an agreement for her request to change a joint statement could not be agreed by the host mayors.

The City of Sydney deputy mayor Zann Maxwell also pulled out of the meeting at Bondi Pavilion saying it was “not appropriate” for him to attend in the absence of an agreement.

“No community should live in fear in our city due to their race or faith,” the Lord Mayor told The Daily Telegraph after the meeting.

Officials held the meeting at Bondi on Thursday. Picture: Ted Lamb

“There is no place for violence, discrimination or expressions of hate in our city.

“I unequivocally condemn the alarming rise in local anti-Semitic and Islamophobic attacks.

“Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia have no place in our city.”

However Mr Maxwell it had not been appropriate for him to attend, however he had previously been looking forward to going.

“At a time of heightened tensions, we must be proactive in challenging hate in all its forms, particularly as recent attacks have left many in the Jewish community feeling unsafe.

“My commitment to fostering a safe, inclusive Sydney remains unchanged.”

Around 21 Sydney mayors united to push for social cohesion and a plan to fight rising racism with extra security at mosques, synagogues and schools, joined in the one message: “There is no place for hate in Sydney.”

The closed Thursday meeting discussed plans for more CCTV cameras, a roll out of multicultural events to boost collaboration and extra security at places of “high risk” including schools, synagogues, and mosques and called for tougher legislation to tackle “racist attacks”.

Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore AO, snubbed a round table meeting of mayors after a row over the wording of joint statement. Picture: Monique Harmer

The Eastern Suburbs’s Woollahra, Randwick and Waverley councils are carrying out risk assessments to boost security to deter soaring hate crime aimed at Jewish quarters since the war in Gaza.

The mayor joint statement on social cohesion says we are united in calling out violence, hatred and extremism,” said Jewish Mayor for Waverley William Nemesh at a press conference after the round table:

“Our communities are welcoming and connected and made stronger by our diverse faiths, backgrounds, cultures and identities.”

Will Nemesh, Darcy Bryne and Ned Mannoun. Picture: Ted Lamb

“The acts of hate and violence across Sydney must be condemned in the strongest terms.

“We unequivocally condemn the alarming rise in anti-Semitic attacks, as well as acknowledge the broader escalation of racism and violence against racial and faith based communities, including Muslims, Christians, Jews, Hindus and Buddhists.”

“There is no place to hate in our society.

Inner West Labor Mayor Darcy Byrne. Picture: Ted Lamb

“In Sydney, local government plays a crucial role in fostering this inclusivity among multicultural communities where everyone feels safe, respected and valued.”

He added: “Local government is a vital tier of government, creating and maintaining social cohesion, partnering with councils to combat the scourge of anti-Semitism and protect all communities from vilification, intimidation and violence.”

The statement was agreed unanimously by 21 mayors representing more than million Sydneysiders.

Lebanese-Australian Muslim Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun welcomed NSW Government’s raft of reforms announced the same day to make daubing Nazi symbols a criminal offence, with a proposed maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment and to boost the NSW Local Government Social Cohesion Grants Program by $500,000, – money to be shared out to pay for CCTV cameras and security.

Will Nemesh (Centre), Darcy Bryne (Right) and Ned Mannoun speak at a press conference at Bondi Pavilion. Photographer: Ted Lamb

“Sydney is the most successful multicultural society in the world but from time to time people challenge that and we need to support each other, from our Jewish communities in the East and the north to the multicultural Muslim, Hindu communities out in the west, we are all one,” Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne said.

“The spate of anti-Semitic violence and attacks in the city is out of control and the mayors were united in a determined move to reverse the trend,” he said.

“Anti-Semitism is the primary problem right now and even in our wonderful multicultural society, racism does flare up – during Covid we saw the Chinese community feeling as though they were coming under attack.

“Aboriginal people reported an increase in discrimination throughout the referendum campaign, and there’s been a stubborn problem with Islamophobia.

“All these different mayors from different political backgrounds, from different parts of Sydney, are all speaking with one voice to say that our multicultural society is worth protecting.”

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Originally published as City of Sydney mayor boycotts meeting calling for extra security and CCTV at synagogues and schools