A pro-Palestine forum set to take place in a Sydney council building has been cancelled by Lord Mayor Clover Moore.
The event, called “Why is it right to say Globalise the Intifada”, was set to be held at the East Sydney Community Arts Centre tonight, and was organised by the Stop The War on Palestine group.
However, Sydney’s lord mayor has issued an eleventh-hour order to the city’s chief executive to cancel the event due to fears it could cause unrest in Sydney.
Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore, said she feared the event would create hostility and fear at a fragile moment in Sydney. (Rhett Wyman)
In a statement, she said events couldn’t contribute to “hostility and fear”.
“I have long supported the principles of peaceful assembly, protest and freedom of speech. However, these rights must always be balanced with a responsibility to ensure public safety and respect for all members of our diverse community,” she said.
She claimed a media campaign has sought to stoke division based on the event, which could lead to heightened tensions, especially as the Royal Commission into Antisemitism begins this week.
“In recent weeks, we have seen a persistent media campaign by the Murdoch press against this event,’ she claimed.
“The coverage has exploited trauma, painting complex issues in black and white and, in bad faith, demanded our communities take sides.”
Colver Moore, fourth from left holding the banner, taking part in a pro-Palestine march across Sydney Harbour Bridge last year. (Getty)She insisted she supports the right to free protest, mentioning she participated in the pro-Palestine march across Sydney Harbour Bridge last year, and also accepted there had been rises in multiple forms of discrimination against multiple groups.
“The impact of violence in the Middle East has left many hurting and afraid,” she said.
“Families have lost loved ones. Antisemitism, lslamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism has risen. Unthinkable evil terrorised Bondi.”
She also claimed some media reporting looked to conflate any anti-war protest with being a criticism of Israel, which she denied.
Members of NSW Police clash with rally participants at Town Hall in February. (Getty)
“Protesting the war is legitimate, and in no way affects my deep sympathy, solidarity and concern for Jewish communities,” Moore said.
Pro-Palestine protests have been a source of controversy in Sydney, with several people being arrested by police after a demonstration outside Town Hall in February during the visit of Israel’s president, Isaac Herzog.
This came after Premier Chris Minns passed special temporary laws to limit protests in the aftermath of the Bondi shooting and increase police powers to act during protests.
The laws were later ruled unconstitutional by the NSW High Court.
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