Greens councillor opposes antisemitism plan in Sydney

A local council meeting in Waverley, Sydney, turned tense after a Greens councillor voted against a new plan to combat antisemitism. The council was discussing Australia's first "Local Government Strategy to Combat Antisemitism," aimed at addressing rising antisemitic incidents in the area. Councillor Dominic Wy Kanak was the only member to oppose the plan. He wanted to change the council's definition of antisemitism, arguing it was too broad, but his proposal was not accepted. The public and other council members reacted with shock to his decision. Waverley Mayor Will Nemesh criticized the vote, calling it "extraordinary" and "unfathomable." He emphasized that the strategy had undergone significant public consultation and aims to enhance support and security for Jewish communities in the area. The strategy's definition of antisemitism is based on guidelines from the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA). This definition has been widely accepted and was formalized by the council in 2021. Wy Kanak suggested that a narrower definition, supported by the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism, could provide a better approach. However, experts pointed out that the Jerusalem Declaration lacks broad acceptance and is considered less effective in fighting antisemitism. During the meeting, several members of the public expressed their distress over antisemitic attacks in the community. The atmosphere was emotional, with some councillors sharing their concerns about the situation. Overall, the strategy aims to strengthen the local response to antisemitism and serve as a model for other councils.