Muslim organisation accuses Australian Jewish Association of ‘incitement to violence’

A Muslim organisation made the claim after the Australian Jewish Association warned: ‘We may see some of the violence that has occurred overseas.’

Lakemba Mosque in Sydney. Picture: (AAP Image/Tracey Nearmy)

One of the country’s largest Muslim organisations has accused the Australian Jewish Association of “blatant incitement to violence”.

In a post to X on Tuesday, the Australian Jewish Association condemned the pro-Palestine encampment protests on Australian university campuses as “Nazi encampments”.

“We never condone anything illegal but with the Albanese Govt and university heads missing in action, nobody should be surprised if members of the public take matters into their own hands,” the post continued.

“Ordinary people are disgusted by the support for terrorism being expressed by the racist activists, occupying Australian universities.

“Because Labor is so weak on combating terror and fighting anti-Semitism, we may sadly see some of the violence that has occurred overseas.”

It should surprise nobody that Nazi encampments on Australian universities make many people angry.

We never condone anything illegal but with the Albanese Govt and university heads missing in action, nobody should be surprised if members of the public take matters into their…

— Australian Jewish Association (@AustralianJA) May 7, 2024

The Lebanese Muslim Association on Wednesday said it had referred the post to police.

“The LMA condemns any form of hate speech or incitement to violence, which has the potential to endanger lives and sow discord within communities,” a statement read.

“The dissemination of such inflammatory rhetoric not only violates the principles of tolerance and mutual respect within our society but also threatens the safety and wellbeing of individuals, particularly Muslim students on campuses across Australia.”

In a letter shared with The Australian, LMA president Hafez Alameddine told NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb of “the fear that is resonating among members of our community”.

He said the AJA’s statement was “inciting violence or promoting hostility towards members of the community legally protesting across university campuses”.

“Such rhetoric poses a direct threat to the safety and security of members of the Islamic and pro-Palestinian communities, particularly hijab wearing students travelling to and from campuses across Australia.

“The LMA is reporting this matter to the NSW police and given the potential implications and the heightened tensions within our community, urge you to ensure that this issue is thoroughly investigated, and appropriate action is taken.”

When contacted for a response, AJA chief executive Robert Gregory said “the Jewish community consistently condemns violence”.

“Sadly, groups like the Lebanese Muslim Association have been unable to unequivocally condemn Islamic terrorism against Jews,” he said.

“From Sydney to Perth, Australians are being attacked by radicalised Islamist youth.

“Australians don’t want to see this ugly hatred imported into our beautiful country.”

The AJA has drawn criticism in the past – late last year, the nation’s peak Jewish organisation, the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, accused the AJA of “reckless endangerment” for making a “completely false” allegation about a school and in doing so, placing children at risk.

“I have contacted them to let them know their reckless social media ‘click-baiting’ proves they have no genuine concern for the safety and wellbeing of the community,” ECAJ co-CEO Alex Ryvchin said at the time.

The AJA at the time hit back, saying that the ECAJ “resembles a Ponzi scheme”.

“AJA was asked by a parent to post something, we never made any claims and we reject the claim that anybody’s safety is in danger,” it said at the time.