The B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission (ADC) has expressed its disappointment with the decision of Greens Candidate for Melbourne Ports Stephanie Hodgins-May to withdraw from an election forum organised by Zionism Victoria and the Australian Jewish News. According to reports, Stephanie Hodgins-May said that she is “not comfortable participating in a forum that is co-hosted by an organisation that isn’t an independent newspaper”, adding, “I don’t believe it is appropriate and right to speak at an event co-organised by a politically active organisation.” The ADC also voiced its concern about an appearance by Greens Deputy Leader and Member for the seat of Melbourne Adam Bandt at an election forum organised by The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network
Dr Dvir Abramovich, Chairman of the ADC, issued the following statement:
“It is highly disappointing that Stephanie Hodgins-May has decided to pull out of this event. It is vital for every political candidate to engage with all members of the Australian community, in particular with those organisations and individuals with whom they may disagree about specific policies. At a time of polarisation and the coarsening of public debate, politicians should exhibit the traits and values that they would like our society to model, namely, to thoughtfully and respectfully dialogue with people across the political divide. This fundamental principle is one of the defining traditions of Australian life. By withdrawing from the event, Stephanie Hodgins-May has missed an invaluable opportunity to cultivate a conversation with the Jewish community, and as a result has the let us all down. And while the ADC champions the free exchange of ideas, it is troubled by Adam Bandt’s decision to speak at a forum organised by the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network, a group that openly supports the Boycotts, Divestments and Sanctions campaign— a movement that promotes the boycott of Israelis, Israeli institutions, and international/ Australian businesses with links to the Jewish state. Instead of building bridges and cultivating interfaith dialogue in Australia, APAN has chosen the path of divisiveness. For instance, APAN has labelled the latest Tel Aviv terrorist deadly shooting as a “desperate attack”, and blamed the massacre on the “Israeli occupation” and on “extra-judicial killings and brutal oppression of Palestinians.” It has also accused Israel of being an apartheid state and termed Israel’s involvement in the 2014 Gaza war an “atrocity”. In an article earlier this year, George Browning, President of APAN, accused Israel of the “ethnic cleansing of Jerusalem” and claimed that a tour of Yad Vashem organised by AIJAC for Australian lawmakers was aimed at “associating… the Palestinians with the Nazis.” Such inflammatory rhetoric has no place in Australia, and by taking part in this forum, Adam Bandt may be unaware that he is lending credence and respectability to a group that does not deserve this prestige.”
The Anti-Defamation Commission, founded in 1979, is Australia’s leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through educational programs that combat bigotry, prejudice and all forms of hatred.
For further information please contact Dr Dvir Abramovich on (03) 9272 5677