Anti-Semitism summit ‘can lead nation from dark place’
Journalist Sharri Markson and the Executive Council of Australian Jewry’s Alex Ryvchin will co-host the Sky News Anti-Semitism Summit this month.
Journalist Sharri Markson and the Executive Council of Australian Jewry’s Alex Ryvchin will co-host the Sky News Anti-Semitism Summit this month.
The televised summit on February 20 will bring together Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus, Labor’s most senior Jewish minister, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and NSW Premier Chris Minns for panel discussions on what more needs to be done to stop the acts of violence against the Jewish community.
Former prime minister John Howard, former national security boss Mike Pezzullo, Australia’s special envoy to combat anti-Semitism Jillian Segal, Israeli ambassador Amir Maimon and survivors of the Holocaust will also be in attendance.
The politicians, policymakers and legal experts will also discuss the impact of anti-Semitism on the arts and culture in Australia, and the role of educational institutions in the fight against anti-Semitism, as they aim to devise solutions to combat the rising tide of anti-Semitism.
“Australia is no longer as safe as it once was for Jews,” Markson said. “This is a travesty that we can’t accept as the new norm.
“Over 16 months, authorities have underestimated or downplayed the extent of the problem, which is now deep rooted.
“This summit is urgently needed to create actionable outcomes to ensure Australia is a peaceful country for all its citizen.”
Mr Ryvchin said the summit had the capacity to create change.
“Our nation is in a dark place and this summit has the capacity to lead us out,” he said.
“This will be a nonpartisan and honest examination of where we as a society have failed and what needs to be done to restore Australia’s standing as a peaceful, tolerant country.
“I am confident this summit will lead to decisive outcomes which can form the basis of public policy to allow the Jewish people to once again live freely.”
Mr Ryvchin was personally targeted in an anti-Semitic attack when his former home was splashed with red paint, and cars in front tagged with “f..k the Jews”.
Sky News Australia chief executive Paul Whittaker said the Anti-Semitism Summit would bring together thought leaders from across politics, law enforcement and the judiciary, business and the arts “to tackle the significant issues facing the Jewish community, for we all have a responsibility to call out anti-Semitism for what it is and demand that our leaders do the same”.
“Anti-Semitism is an insidious scourge on society and completely at odds with Australian values – it must be stamped out,” he said. “As history has shown, words matter, and we cannot let acts of prejudice and intolerance go unchallenged.”
The Sky News Anti-Semitism Summit will be held on Thursday, 20 February. Stream at SkyNews.com.au
More Coverage
Add your comment to this story
Bunnings launches media arm to join $1.6bn market
The hardware juggernaut hopes ‘Hammer Media’ will reach tens of millions of shoppers in-store and on social media.
As trust in authorities drops, people want businesses to do more
Australians expect businesses to lead on affordability, climate change and jobs as trust in governments and authorities continues to decline.
To join the conversation, please log in. Don't have an account? Register
Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout