The B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission (ADC), has expressed its profound concern at news reports that new Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) Secretary Sally McManus is a supporter of the BDS campaign against Israel. The Australian reports that in 2011, McManus congratulated Marrickville Council on its decision to support the Global Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign.
Dr Dvir Abramovich, Chairman of the ADC, issued the following statement:
“It is highly disappointing and troubling that a leader of a major Union such as the ACTU supports the one-sided and hypocritical BDS campaign that traffics in discrimination and in a fervently vicious anti-Israel message that seeks to isolate and demonize the Jewish state. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is immensely complex, and deploying economic and cultural vandalism and warfare against Israel will not cultivate genuine dialogue, cooperation and reconciliation between the two parties, but will only fan the flames of division and hatred between Israelis and Palestinians. As former president of Harvard, Lawrence Summers, has observed, those who support the BDS are “advocating and taking actions that are anti-Semitic in their effect if not their intent.” It is alarming that Ms McManus, rather than building bridges between communities, and fostering important dialogue, has chosen the path of divisiveness which runs counter to our values. We call on Ms McManus to publicly repudiate this distorted stance that singles out the Jewish state for opprobrium, and instead send the principled message to the Australian public and NTEU members that she will fight the ever-growing growing defamation of Israel and the Jewish people.”
For further information please contact Dr Dvir Abramovich on 9272 5677.