Police investigates theft of Israeli flag from Eastern Suburbs
Image: Woollahra Mayor Richard Shields and Cr Isabelle Shapiro raising the Israeli Flag in front of Council Chambers. Image: Woollahra Council/Facebook.
By JUSTIN COOPER
The Israeli flag that was being flown outside Woollahra Municipal Council Chambers has been stolen, with police investigating the theft.
On Tuesday, October 31, the flag’s disappearance was noticed by council workers. Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command reported on the flag as being stolen, shortly after.
Following a council meeting earlier in October, council raised the flag in solidarity with the Jewish population.
The decision to raise the Israeli flag was to stand in solidarity with the Jewish population following the ongoing conflicts overseas, and was decided by Council during their council meeting in October.
The theft of the flag coincides with other local councils, including City of Sydney and Randwick councils, refraining from raising either Israeli or Palestinian flags in isolation.
Woollahra Mayor Richard Shields spoke to City Hub, recalling the significance of flying the flag outside of Council Chambers.
“The raising of the flag is a symbol of our community’s solidarity with Israel for the horrific murder of more than 1,400 innocent men, women and children,” said Shields.
“We should not forget the 239 innocent Israelis that are still being held hostage by an internationally recognised terrorist organisation.”
“Our community’s support should not waver until all of the hostages are released,” explained Shields.
A Woollahra Council spokesperson confirmed with City Hub that the flag was replaced that Tuesday afternoon.
Raising flag in solidarity
At the last council meeting on October 9, Mayor Shields introduced his Mayoral Minute condemning the “unprecedented” attacks.
Within the council’s official minutes, Shields recognised and condemned the “unprovoked attack on the citizens of Israel by Hamas.”
Shield’s called for the Israeli flag be flown in solidarity. Furthermore, the Mayor is to write to “local Jewish faith and community groups,” potentially providing in-kind support to communities.
Formal request from the local Jewish community requesting support are expected to tabled for later council meetings “for the consideration of Council.”
The Mayor is also expected to write to the Prime Minister and relevant ministers, calling for the “federal Government [to provide] assistance and support if required by the Israeli Government.”
The motion was supported unanimously by council, with the Israeli flag being raised the next morning.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been killed, injured and taken from their loved ones,” said Mayor Shields after raising the flag.
“With such a significant number of our local Woollahra community being of Jewish faith, with immediate and distant relatives in Israel, I am devastated to think of the impact this attack has had and will continue to have on them,” he continued.
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