“Maintaining social harmony”: Moore blocks plan to display Israeli flag at Town Hall

by JUSTIN COOPER

Lord Mayor Clover Moore has blocked plans to display the Israeli flag in her mayoral minute during City of Sydney’s council meeting on Monday night.

Ahead of the meeting, Councillor Shauna Jarrett put forward a motion requesting council to fly the Israeli flag for some time and illuminate Sydney Town Hall with the colours of the Israeli flag as a “mark of respect” for Israel and the Jewish community.

In response, Lord Mayor Moore proposed that council avoid displaying any partisan symbols relating to the current conflict and promote peace instead.

Council condemns violence

Mayor Moore’s minute condemned the ongoing attacks in Israel and the Gaza strip which has resulted in thousands of deaths.

“We condemn war, terrorism and violence in any form,” said the mayor.

“We stand with the innocent victims of this long-running conflict, in both Israeli and Palestinian communities, who are suffering and have suffered over so many years.”

Recalling the City’s “values of diversity, solidarity and inclusivity,” Moore recognised the impacts of the overseas conflict on local communities.

In requesting communities unite peacefully, Moore noted the considerable rise in Antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents occurring across Sydney, with both synagogues and mosques on high alert.

“There is no place for violence, discrimination or expressions of hate in our city,” she asserted.

The motion was supported unanimously by council, with Moore expected to write to Israeli and Palestinian communities in Sydney.

At the time of publication, City Hub has reached out to the Lord Mayor for further comment.

Councils grapple with conflict

Since the initial attacks on October 7 in Israel and ensuing conflict, several councils have been continuing to grapple with the conflict’s effects amongst local communities.

On Monday night, Randwick Council held an extraordinary council meeting overturning previous plans to fly the Palestinian flag on International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, on November 29.

Last week, Waverley Municipal Council brought forward an urgent motion condemning the attacks and planning to provide financial and “in-kind” support to the large Jewish Community.

Similarly, Woollahra Municipal Council has shown solidarity to their large Jewish population through flying the Israeli Flag outside of the Council Chambers.