Vic Alhadeff quits over email defending Israel

THE chairman of the NSW CRC Vic Alhadeff “made the right ­decision” to stand down after sending an email about the ­current conflict in Gaza.

THE chairman of the NSW Community Relations Commission Vic Alhadeff “made the right ­decision” to stand down after sending an email about the ­current conflict in Gaza that provoked widespread protest, the head of one of the state’s leading Muslim groups says.

Samier Dandan, president of the Lebanese Muslim Association, said Mr Alhadeff’s comments conflicted with the commission’s responsibility to promote harmony between ­different cultural groups.

Mr Alhadeff announced his resignation yesterday, after both he and the NSW Premier Mike Baird initially resisted calls for him to stand down.

The dispute has its roots in an email sent two weeks ago by Mr Alhadeff in his other role as chief executive of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies discussing ­Israel’s military offensive in Gaza, which has led to the deaths of over 1000 Palestinians.

Israel was operating with “care to avoid civilian casualties”, the email said.

“Israel has made it clear that it is not interested in further escalation, but will do whatever is needed to defend its citizens. All options are on the table.” These comments were met with anger by a number of other community groups, ­including the Lebanese Muslim ­Association, who boycotted the annual Iftar dinner hosted by Mr Baird last week to mark the end of the Ramadan fast.

In a statement released yesterday, Mr Alhadeff said, “It is with considerable regret that I have ­decided to resign from my position … It is clear that a briefing paper ­issued under my name inadvertently caused offence to some and this is greatly regretted.”

While he acknowledged Mr ­Alhadeff’s work in the past, Mr Dandan said: “I think the ­decision made by Vic is the right decision, to put the charter of the Community Relations Commission before everything else.

“This is also probably a lesson to the government in terms of who they appoint … in a portfolio that is related to social harmony,” he said.

“It could have been a Muslim leader who published strong views against Israel and we would have made the same criticism,” Mr Dandan said.

NSW Citizenship and ­Communities Minister Victor Dominello said: “Mr Alhadeff has committed his working life to the promotion of intercultural ­harmony. However, I understand and respect the decision he has made.

“During his time as chair of the CRC he has brought multicultural communities together on many occasions to restore trust and resolve tensions,” Mr Dominello said

Mr Alhadeff will continue in his position with the Jewish Board of Deputies.