Randwick Council reaffirms position to fly Israeli flag leaving protesters outraged

Tensions rose at a Sydney council meeting after an urgent bid to stop the Israeli flag being raised at Randwick town hall was put forward, with more than a dozen Palestinian protesters in attendance.

Protesters with a sign saying ‘Don’t fly the flag of my oppressor’.

Tensions rose at a Randwick council meeting an urgent bid to stop the Israeli flag being raised on its 75th Independence Day was rejected, with a group of Palestinian protesters reacting to the decision.

The council had endorsed a motion by councillor Daniel Rosenfeld in February for the flag to be raised at Randwick Town Hall on April 26, following a decision to fly the Greek Flag on its Independence Day.

However, councillor Michael Olive submitted an urgent motion to “rescind the resolution” on Tuesday night on the basis it would “cause great hurt to members of the local community”.

“That is evidenced by the fact we have many of those [here with us tonight] that are quite outraged and unhappy that this flag will be flying,” Mr Olive said. “And there were more outside protesting this particular move.”

The recission motion failed with only six councillors voting in favour, and nine against, though Mr Olive’s comments were met with applause.

Michael Olive put forward an urgent motion on Tuesday. Photo: Facebook

After Israel was officially declared independent in May 1948, an estimated 700,000 Palestinians were displaced.

As the decision was announced by mayor Dylan Parker, frustrated yells of “shame” were heard from protesters before the chanting of “Free, Free Palestine”.

One protester went as far as asking councillors to “stand on the right side of history” and another said “we’ll be back” as they left the meeting.

But the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council congratulated Randwick City Council for standing firm on flying the Israeli flag for Yom Ha’atzmaut, writing to Mr Parker over the decision.

Mark Leibler AC, AIJAC National Chairman and Dr Colin Rubenstein AM, AIJAC executive director said: “It will be a significant expression of support to see the Israeli flag flying atop Randwick Town Hall.”

“Once again, we are pleased (Randwick) council acknowledged the significance to the Jewish community of the occasion on April 26 – Yom Ha’atzmaut – which marks the 75th anniversary of the declaration of independence for the modern State of Israel.”

Protesters against the flying of the Israeli flag at Randwick Town Hall on April 26.

Vivienne Porzsolt from Jews against the Occupation said protesters were “disappointed” by the decision, further explaining that “citizens of Randwick should not be implicitly supporting this violence by flying the Israeli flag”.

On the contrary, Mr Rosenfeld was “disappointed with the messaging” from protesters but was “pleased” it was done peacefully.

In the lead-up to Tuesday’s meeting, a number of emails obtained by this publication show Randwick residents asking for councillors to support the urgent motion.

One email from a community member said he would be “ashamed for [his] local council to so blatantly support the crime of apartheid” which he said was condemned by the UN.

Daniel Rosenfeld submitted the motion to fly the Israeli flag on April 26.

Another email sent to councillors by a resident with a Jewish background said Israel’s “ongoing occupation” of Palestine meant they were in “no mood” to see the flag raised.

Another resident, the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, questioned why an Australian council would “celebrate the founding of an unrepentant ethno-supremacist state”.

According to 2021 census data, 5467 residents residing in the Randwick area are of Jewish heritage, which has seen a growth of almost 400 people since 2016.

In wake of the decision, the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affair Council (AIJAC) sent a letter of support to the Mr Parker.

“We are pleased that you and your council acknowledged the significance to the Jewish community of the occasion [of] Yom Ha’atzmaut – which marks the 75th anniversary of the declaration of independence for the modern State of Israel,” the letter states.