Peter Dutton plans to  tackle anti-Jew hatred in schools

Jewish leaders have written to both Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton calling on them to adopt a 15-point plan to tackle anti-Semitism as Australia inches closer to the federal election.

EXCLUSIVE 

A Peter Dutton-led Coalition government would declare a national emergency on anti-Semitism and add education against Jewish hatred to the national curriculum as part of a an extensive plan to tackle it in Australia.

The Executive Council of Australia Jewry, which co-hosted the Sky News Anti-Semitism Summit last month, wrote to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Opposition leader, Mr Dutton, canvassing support for a 15-point plan. 

The plan was raised by the ECAJ in the concluding remarks of the summit.

Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton attends the Sky News anti-Semitism summit in Sydney. Picture: Jeremy Piper

It calls for the federal goverment to declare a national emergency and establish a joint counter-terrorism taskforce led by a single minister “to fight against anti-Semitic terror before we have a major terror attack in this country”.

The letters, seen by the Telegraph, called on both parties to endorse the plan or explain why they were unwilling to support it. 

The organisation said they would be publishing the responses from both leaders to the community ahead of the next election.

ECAJ co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“The plan of action is based on the deliberations of the summit, which featured not only the political leadership of our country but some of the finest legal, policing and security minds we have,” ECAJ co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said.

“If implemented, it will return anti-Semitism to the far fringes of our society, restore public safety, and will again make Australia a place where all are free to display their faith and identity. 

“It’s now up to the major parties to show leadership and endorse the plan.”

Mr Dutton told the Sunday Telegraph the Coalition would endorse the federal responsibilities outlined in the plan. 

“I commend the ECAJ for its leadership in bringing the community together to take a stand against this scourge,” he said.

“The Coalition supports this plan and is committed to enacting the measures for which the Federal Government has responsibility, to ensure anti-Semitism has no place in our country.

“The Coalition has been unequivocal in its approach to condemning anti-Semitism – and we will continue to do so under my leadership at all times.”

The Telegraph understands a response to the letter from the Prime Minister is on its way.

The Prime Minister’s office did not comment on the matter. 

The 15-point plan also calls for a public awareness campaign to educate young people on anti-Semitism, a ban on protesters disrupting students at university, and funding bans on any religious or charitable organisation that is seen to promote racism or display terror symbols. 

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Originally published as Peter Dutton plans to  tackle anti-Jew hatred in schools