Israel boycotts on the ballot at council elections

When you think of the issues you want your local council to focus on what springs to mind? If you’re like me then solving the Middle East conflict isn’t at the top of your list, writes Robert Gregory.

Is your local council trying to solve the Middle East conflict?

When you think of the issues you want your local council to focus on what springs to mind?

Perhaps fixing the local pothole or providing some relief from high rates.

If you’re like me then solving the Middle East conflict isn’t at the top of your expectations from your representatives for the third tier of government.

Roads, rates and rubbish are no longer interesting enough for some councillors, who are under the impression that they are serving in the United Nations.

Last week, Canterbury-Bankstown Council passed a motion to begin the process of implementing a boycott of the world’s only Jewish state, Israel.

Canterbury Bankstown Labor Councillor Karl Saleh and a security guard raise The Palestinian flag at Paul Keating Park in Bankstown. Picture: Julian Andrews

Anti-Jewish boycotts have a long and ugly history. The latest manifestation, boycotting the Jewish state is led by an outfit called Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS).

BDS has been condemned by leaders across the political spectrum.

However, the message hasn’t filtered down to some local councillors, who think they have a better grasp of foreign policy.

The debate at Canterbury-Bankstown was heated. Police were called and there are allegations that death threats were made.

Aside from serving to increase community tensions and make Jews feel unwelcome, these motions will cost ratepayers dearly. In 2011, Marrickville Council toyed with the idea of an Israel boycott. The cost was in the millions, including $3 million alone to remove the council’s Hewlett Packard computer systems.

It turns out that there is an Israeli or Jewish contribution in many parts of our economy and tearing up signed contracts comes with a price.

Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore has supported a Greens boycott motion that Inner West Council will vote on one soon. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

Boycotting “Zionist” Coca Cola and McDonald’s is easy but imagine explaining to the hardworking people of Canterbury-Bankstown that their rates will increase by millions because the councillors want to throw out perfectly good equipment.

Previously, these foreign policy forays had been the domain of wacky inner-city types. Sydney’s woke Lord Mayor Clover Moore supported a recent Greens boycott motion and the Inner West Council will vote on one soon. The motion at Canterbury-Bankstown, however, was an initiative of Labor councillors. The Liberal and independent councillors opposed it.

From Byron Bay to Wollongong, local councils have passed motions about the Middle East conflict, and extremist activists have many more in the pipeline.

The actions of any local council in NSW will, of course, go unnoticed by anyone in the Middle East.

There is a real risk that they will cost you money and damage social cohesion.

NSW local government elections will be held on September 14.

Time is running out to update your electoral details.

Before you vote, consider carefully whether the candidate you select is likely to spend your money trying to solve the Middle East conflict.

Robert Gregory is CEO of the Australian Jewish Association