Sydney mayors call for extra security, CCTV at synagogues and schools amid anti-Semitic attacks

Dozens of Sydney mayors have united for a round table meeting to discuss safety measures around areas at high risk of anti-Semitic attacks, including schools, synagogues and mosques.

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

A round table meeting of Sydney mayors — spurned by City of Sydney Mayor Clover Moore — discussed plans for CCTV cameras at places of interest, a roll out of multi cultural events and activities to boost collaboration among diverse cultures and extra security at places of “high risk” including schools, synagogues, and mosques.

The mayors united to call for tougher legislation to boost penalties when it comes to “racist attacks”.

The Eastern Suburbs’s Woollhara, Randwick and Waverley councils are carrying out risk assessments to boost security to deter hate crimes that have been executed in predominantly Jewish quarters since the October 7 atrocities and ensuing war on Gaza.

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

Announcing the social cohesion plan, Jewish Mayor for Waverley William Namesh told a press conference at Bondi Pavilion after the round table: “The mayor joint statement on social cohesion says we are united in calling out violence, hatred and extremism.

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

“The acts of hate and violence seen across Sydney must be condemned in the strongest terms. While these brazen and cowardly acts require prosecution with the full force of law, these criminal acts aim to create fear, chaos and division.

“We call on our communities to stand together as we are standing together to support one another during these challenging times.

“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.”

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

He added: “There is no place to hate in our society.

“Sydney is a vibrant and proudly multicultural and multi-faith city. Its diverse population is reflected right across the city, creating an inclusive community of which we are proud.”

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

“We commit to being champions of social cohesion and using our leadership and knowledge to combat racism and promote community safety,” he said.

“Our communities deserve to live free from fear and hatred, and we will work together to uphold these values and advocate for the support needed to achieve them.

“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 over 20 mayors representing over more than million Sydneysiders.

Lebanese-Australian Muslim Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun welcomed NSW Government’s raft of reforms announced on Thursday to make daubing Nazi symbols on or near synagogues a criminal offence, with a proposed maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment and boost the NSW Local Government Social Cohesion Grants Program by $500,000.

The councils agreed a raft of multicultural weekend events and festivals to encourage communities to “cross pollinate”.

The mayor of Fairfield recently organised buses full of locals to Bondi Beach. In return, locals from Bondi were taken on a Fairfield visit,” Mr Darcy said.

“Sydney is the most successful multicultural society in the world, he said.

“From time to time, people challenge that, but together, we stand as one voice over 20 mayors representing about three million people, saying that we want to work together and we 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.

“Today’s statement to have everyone agree to it is a very positive sign, and it’s important that we remind everyone that we stand together, united as one.”

Inner West Labor Mayor Darcy Byrne. Picture: Ted Lamb

Inner West Labor Mayor Darcy Byrne said the spate of anti-Semitic violence and attacks in the city was “out of control” and the mayors were united in a determined move to reverse the trend.

“It will send a message to all of the people of Sydney that we can take grassroots action to put this to an end, ”he said.

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

“Aboriginal people have 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, they’re all speaking with one voice to say that our multicultural society is worth protecting and that we’re going to take action together in our own local communities.”

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