‘Not acceptable’: Jewish leaders slam govt decision to honour Dalal Smiley

Melbourne CEO who labelled Hamas attacks on Israel ‘resistance’ and denied Hezbollah was a terror group was nominated by an Allan government minister for a prestigious award.

A women's safety advocate who dismissed violence against women during Hamas’ October 7 attack and excused Palestinian children calling for Jews to be stabbed was nominated by an Allan government minister for a prestigious award.

Former Multicultural Affairs Commissioner Dalal Smiley has denied Hezbollah is a terrorist organisation, supported their attacks on Israel and argued Palestinian kids expressing a desire to kill Jews are not brainwashed but instead forming the view based on their “lived experience”.

But with the help of Minister Gabrielle Williams she was inducted into the 2024 Women’s Honour Roll.

Wellsprings for Women CEO Dalal Smiley won a ‘local hero’ award. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

Parliament also platformed her organisation Wellsprings for Women, which provides support to women suffering family violence, in Queens Hall this week, sparking fury among some Jewish leaders.

In a comment on LinkedIn, Ms Smiley, who campaigns against sexual violence, denied that women were raped on October 7 and labelled the “resistance” of Palestinians “legitimate”.

The United Nations found there were “reasonable grounds” that sexual violence, including rape and gang rape, had occurred during the October 7 terrorist attack.

Several women's bodies were found naked from the waist down, most with “hands tied and shot multiple times, often in the head”.

Ms Smiley later told the Sunday Herald Sun she condemns “any acts of sexual violence that may have occurred” during the October 7 attack.

“While my comment referred to reports that state the lack of evidence found about the rapes, I certainly condemn any acts of sexual violence that may have occurred on 7 October as crimes against humanity,” she said.

In another post, she denied proscribed terrorist organisation Hezbollah or ‘Hizballah’

was a terror group.

Minister Gabrielle Williams nominated Ms Smiley for the award. Picture: Supplied.

Hezbollah, which carries out suicide bombings, has fired thousands of rockets at Israel since October 7 in defence of Hamas.

“And for those of you on this platform in a hurry to point out that Hizballah is a terrorist group. YOU ARE WRONG,” Ms Smiley wrote.

“They are a Lebanese army yes supported by Iran just like Israel is supported by the US and other western countries.”

During a speech in October at the Arts Centre, Ms Smiley, who came to Australia as a refugee from Lebanon in 1976, thanked Ms Williams for the nomination.

The Jewish Community Council of Victoria and the National Council of Jewish Women, in a joint statement, said somebody who is on an Honour Roll is supposed to be a role model.

“While Ms Smiley may have done great work in the local community, the Victorian Jewish community is concerned by her apparently supportive statements on social media for Hezbollah, which has been listed as a terrorist organisation by the Commonwealth; her denial of violent abuse of Jewish women by Hamas; and her implication that the massacre of October 7 was a “legitimate act of resistance,” she said.

“Holding a position of public honour brings with it responsibility and expressing divisive and offensive personal opinions is not acceptable for a Victorian honour roll nominee.”

Jewish MP David Southwick also slammed the decision.

Deputy Victorian Liberal Party leader David Southwick criticised the government over the decision. Photo: Asanka Ratnayake

“Instead of condemning someone who stokes division, the Allan Labor Government has decided she deserves an award and a free feature in the Victorian parliament,” he said.

A Victorian government spokesman defended Ms Smiley’s award, but said “the Government does not support those views”.

“The Wellsprings for Women organisation provides important services to Victorians of all backgrounds, including family violence and housing support,” she said.

Wellsprings for Women said Ms Smiley’s personal remarks do not reflect the views of the organisation.

Originally published as ‘Not acceptable’: Jewish leaders slam govt decision to honour Dalal Smiley