SA Islamic leader Ahmed Zreika quits state body, accuses Premier of taking sides in Mid East war

A high-profile Islamic leader has accused the Premier of taking Israel’s side in the war, quitting a major state body.

A senior Islamic leader has quit the state’s peak multicultural body, accusing Premier Peter Malinauskas of taking sides in the war between Israel and Palestine.

Islamic Council of SA president Ahmed Zreika has resigned from the South Australian Multicultural Commission because the “state government had sided with one community at the expense of another community’’.

Mr Zreika said he had written to the Premier last Thursday before he resigned, asking him to light city landmarks in the colours of the Palestinian flag as he had with the blue and white of the Israeli flag.

“We both condemn any kind of terrorism or killing of civilian people but they choose to stand up with the Israeli civilian, but I couldn’t see they are standing up with Palestinian civilian that has been killed in this war,’’ Mr Zreika said.

Mr Zreika said in his letter he had extended “his sympathy to the Jewish community in South Australia’’.

Ahmed Zreika is quitting as president of the Islamic Society in SA. Picture: Dean Martin

“We understand your position to light up the light of the Israeli flag and to stand up with the civilians of Israel but we want you to do the same for the Palestinian,’’ he said.

Mr Zreika said he did not receive a response from the Premier.

Mr Malinauskas described Mr Zreika as a “proud advocate for his community’’.

“What was initiated by Hamas against Israel get up a week ago was an unprovoked terrorist attack and as a government, we want to show solidarity with the Israeli people,’’ he said.

“But I am very conscious of the fact that, as the recent days have unfolded, we’ve seen some pretty tragic scenes come out of Gaza too,’’ he said.

Mr Malinauskas also introduced a motion to parliament Tuesday that said it “stands with Israel and recognises its inherent right to defend itself’’ and “recognises that Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people, nor their legitimate needs and aspirations’’.

Mr Zreika said he was also aware of a South Australian family that was trying to flee Palestine.

He said the husband, wife and two young children were trying to escape but he had not heard if they had been successful.

He also said there had been no decision on whether the Islamic Society would participate in Sunday’s march for Palestine in the CBD after taking part in Sunday’s protest, which he said attracted 4000 supporters.

Originally published as SA Islamic leader Ahmed Zreika quits state body, accuses Premier of taking sides in Mid East war