Sydney Mayor Clover Moore has cancelled a pro-Palestine meeting scheduled to take place in a council building on Tuesday night. The Stop The War On Palestine group had planned to host a forum titled 'Globalise the Intifada' at the East Sydney Community Arts Centre.
Mayor's Decision
In a Facebook post on Monday evening, Moore stated that she had asked the city's chief executive to withdraw the booking because public events must not 'contribute to hostility and fear.' She emphasized her long-standing support for peaceful assembly, protest, and freedom of speech, but noted that these rights must be balanced with responsibility for public safety and respect for the diverse community.
Criticism of Media Coverage
Moore also took a swipe at Rupert Murdoch-owned newspapers, accusing them of campaigning against the event in a 'bad faith' manner that 'exploited trauma, painting complex issues in black and white' and demanding communities take sides.
Reaction from Jewish Board of Deputies
The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies expressed relief over the cancellation, stating they had engaged intensively with the council to explain why the event would endanger public safety and undermine social cohesion. They deemed it 'entirely appropriate' for the City of Sydney Council to refuse a venue for such an event.
The cancellation comes amid ongoing debates about the meaning of 'globalise the intifada' and its implications, with the NSW government previously seeking to ban the chant.
