City of Sydney Mayor Clover Moore rejects proposal to project Israeli flag onto Town Hall
The Israeli flag will not be projected onto Sydney’s town hall after Lord Mayor Clover Moore blocked a bid to see the iconic building lit up in solidarity. See the latest here.
Central Sydney
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City of Sydney Mayor Clover Moore has blocked a proposal to project the Israeli flag onto Sydney’s Town Hall.
Liberal councillor Shauna Jarrett called on the City of Sydney to illuminate Town Hall with the colours of the Israeli flag, as a mark of respect for Israel and the Jewish community after violent terrorist attacks by Hamas on October 7, before “multiple abductions of Israeli men, women, and children which the terrorists are threatening to kill one at a time in retaliation for unannounced attacks on Gaza civilians”.
Sydney’s Town Hall has seen multiple pro-Palestinian rallies and protests since October 7.
Ms Moore knocked back the proposal, arguing that while the council condemns war, terrorism and violence in any form, it “must stand with both communities during the difficult time.”
“This does not bring our community together so I do not endorse this minute,” she said.
“We stand with the innocent victims of this long-running conflict, in both Israeli and Palestinian communities, who are suffering and have suffered over so many years.”
Ms Moore called for the community to unite peacefully as “now more than ever it is vital we reflect our values of diversity, solidarity and inclusivity.”
With Synagogues and Mosques in Sydney on heightened alert, “the city should not display any partisan symbols associated with the current conflict.”
Ms Jarrett called for council to illuminate Town Hall with the colours of the Israeli flag for a period of time while also raising the Israeli flag at the council chambers “as a mark of respect from the City of Sydney for Israel and the Jewish community”.
It comes as council meetings went online, with security preventing members of the public from entering the chamber on Monday night.
Liberal local government spokeswoman Wendy Tuckerman said the call from Ms Moore was pointless.
“The City of Sydney already has an Aboriginal Advisory Panel. It is unclear what benefits would be achieved by having the NSW Parliament amend the City of Sydney Act. The Opposition’s focus is on urgent and practical measures, in collaboration with Closing the Gap partners, that help address Indigenous disadvantage across NSW,” she said.
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