Right-wing campaigner Avi Yemini confirms he will run for Victorian Upper House seat
HE’S been accused of creating hate and fear with his controversial views. Now former Israeli soldier-turned social media agitator Avi Yemini is set to run for a seat at the next state election.
VIC News
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CONTROVERSIAL Right-wing campaigner Avi Yemini is ready to make his mark in politics, confirming his ambitions to run for an Upper House seat at the next state election.
The polarising former Israeli Defence Force recruit-turned social media agitator hopes to campaign to “make Victoria safe again’’.
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Mr Yemini, the face of an emerging Australian conservative Jewish movement, said it was time for some straight talking in parliament when it came to Victoria’s spiralling levels of crime.
“Victoria needs a major shake-up, and our politicians pussyfoot around the issues that really matter,’’ he said.
“I am going to go in there and will be a person who will say it as it is.’’
The deportation of violent immigrants, no bail and no early release for violent offenders, adult jail time for offenders aged 18 and up, and the legalisation of nonlethal weapons such as pepper spray are among his policies.
Critics have accused the 32-year-old father of four of using the state’s crime issues and campaigning for safety as covers for bigotry.
This week, Mr Yemini posted an interview with polarising political commentator Milo Yiannopoulos, labelling it “Two Nazi Jews talking common sense’’.
Former Labor leader Mark Latham has been among his interviewees.
Last year, Mr Yemini invited One Nation leader Pauline Hanson and former Queensland senator Malcolm Roberts to speak to a Jewish group about the “dangers of Muslim migration’’, but the controversial event had to be cancelled because of security fears.
Southern Metropolitan MP Philip Dalidakis said Mr Yemini was an “an opportunistic far-Right reactionary’’ who “stands for nothing other than creating hate, fear and anger’’.
“His contribution to Victorian politics will be to promote archaic, ineffective and intolerant policies and attempt to undo decades of progress that our great state has made.”
Jewish groups have also distanced themselves.
Jewish Community Council of Victoria president Jennifer Huppert said Mr Yemini was entitled to run his campaign but admitted his views were divisive.
“He’s entitled to express his views but they are certainly not shared and we do not believe they are reflective of a multicultural society in Australia.’’
Anton Block, president of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry said: “Avi Yemini, like any member of the public, is free to run for public office. Should he do so, he will no doubt represent the views of whatever political party that preselects him as its candidate.”
“However, that will not be with the endorsement or as a representative of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry being the national representative body of the Australian Jewish community, or of the Jewish Community Council of Victoria ... as he is not an elected representative of either.’’
It’s understood Mr Yemini has ruled out standing for a major party but is considering a tilt for the Australian Conservatives. He said he was unphased by the criticism.
“The Jewish community have tried to tear me down,’’ Mr Yemini said.
“But I’m not going to shut up for anyone.
“I am going to go in there and say it as it is.’’
The activist is working on the launch of a “Make Victoria Safe Again’’ app, which could be used to document an incident on social media while simultaneously providing location details to emergency services.
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