Calls for Victorian Multicultural Commissioner to be stood down over anti-Israel posts

The investigation comes after the commissioner last week shared a post from activist group Palestine Action Australia, with the caption “Australia disown him”, in reference to a video featuring and Australian IDF fighter.

Victorian Multicultural Commissioner Mohamed Mohideen.

Victoria’s Multicultural Commission has been forced to investigate one of its own commissioners over a series of anti-Israel posts on social media, amid calls from Jewish community leaders for him to be stood down over language they describe as “extreme”, “inflammatory” and “divisive”.

Mohamed Mohideen last week shared an Instagram post on his Facebook page from activist group Palestine Action Australia, with the caption “Australia disown him”, in reference to a video featuring Australian IDF fighter Alec Sachs.

In a Facebook post last month, the Islamic Council vice-president accused Israel of “genocide, ethnic cleansing and mass murder” in Gaza. Mr Mohideen also shared a photo of a placard at a pro-Palestine protest that described Zionism – the movement in support of the right of the Jewish people to have a homeland in Israel – as “apartheid”, “war”, “killing” and “evil”.

The controversy comes after VMC chair Vivienne Nguyen AM last month posed for a photograph with pro-Palestine protesters holding a “sitintifada” on the steps of state parliament, prompting deep concern within the Jewish community.

In response to questions regarding the conduct of Mr Mohideen, one of 12 paid Victorian multicultural commissioners, VMC deputy chair Bwe Thay confirmed an investigation was under way, saying the commission reiterated “an unequivocal condemnation of anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and all forms of racism, hate and vilification, which have no place in Victoria – from anyone, anywhere”.

“The commission has received a complaint regarding the social media activity of a commissioner. This matter is being taken seriously and is currently being investigated to inform consideration of what actions should be taken,” Mr Thay said.

Victoria's Multicultural Commission Chair, Vivienne Nguyen, second from right, was in December photographed at the ‘sitintifada’ being held by pro-Palestine protesters on the steps of Victorian Parliament.

Australia/Israel Jewish Affairs Council executive director Colin Rubenstein, a former Victorian and Australian multicultural commissioner, said Mr Mohideen’s online activities and “extreme, inflammatory posts” were “certainly concerning, all the more so given his role as a multicultural commissioner”.

“In particular, Alec Sachs has been fighting in the army of a democratic ally of Australia against a proscribed terrorist group, so the last thing we should do is disown him,” Dr Rubenstein said. “The role of multicultural commissioners should be to contribute to and work towards community harmony, not to exacerbate community disharmony.

“They should do so within the framework of the responsibilities required by Australian multiculturalism, a commitment to the rule of law, democratic values and mutual respect.”

Jewish Community Council of Victoria president Philip Zajac said the VMC’s role was to strengthen the community and promote multiculturalism.

“This role cannot be fulfilled if commissioners publicly vilify young people in the Jewish community,” Mr Zajac said.

“We know, from statistics provided by Victoria Police, that there is currently more than one anti-Semitic incident per day in Victoria. We also know from Victoria Police that there have been seven times more anti-Semitic incidents in Victoria than Islamophobic incidents since October 7. Any racist incident against any Victorian is one too many, but it is time for the VMC to engage deeply with the Victorian Jewish community and support us to address this major challenge.”

Australian Jewish Association CEO Robert Gregory said the Victorian government must “take responsibility” for those it appoints as commissioners, “or at the very least, should speak out when its commissioners spread division”.

“We are calling on the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Ingrid Stitt, to explore the possibility of removing Mr Mohideen from his role,” Mr Gregory said.

Zionism Victoria Executive Director Zeddy Lawrence said: “Sadly, this is the kind of divisive post we’ve come to expect from Mr Mohideen.”

“How he can be described as a multicultural commissioner is as ironic as it is astounding given his social media is littered with comments and commentary that are so deeply offensive to one of Victoria’s cultural groups,” Mr Lawrence said.

“If anything, someone in his position should be seeking to heal rifts between different communities rather than exacerbate them.”

A spokeswoman for Ms Stitt said the matter was “being investigated”.