Publisher chooses to censor

Rifts in Sydney’s Jewish community have been exposed over an instance of alleged censorship in the Australian Jewish News. 

The issue revolves around an advertisement promoting a speaking tour by Professor Jeffrey Halper.  Having immigrated to Israel from the United States in 1973, Professor Halper espouses a number of views controversial within the Jewish diaspora. 

The advertisement – which contained only titles and locations for the lectures with contact numbers – was pulled at the last moment. An informed source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told City Hub the paper’s editor Ashley Browne initially had no objections to running the advert. 

But Vivienne Porzsolt, a spokesperson for the organisers of Professor Halper’s tour, said she was “proofing the ad for publication” when the call came through from Mr Browne to say the ad would not be published. 

Ms Porzsolt said a reason for the refusal had not been given but said clues could be found in recent public statements made by the paper’s proprietor, Robert Magid.  Last week, Mr Magid was quoted in The Sydney Morning Herald saying, “I don’t like the crowd who are bringing him (Halper) out…They use their Judaism to bash other Jews and issues associated with the Jewish community.” 

Journalist Antony Loewenstein says the issue goes beyond the simple right of a proprietor to publish what he sees fit.  “The bigger picture is quite clear – senior Zionist members of the community are terrified of debate and of alternative views,” he said.  “The ham-fistedness of their approach has led to an own goal.” 

The dispute has also raised hackles elsewhere within the community. Angela Budai, a member of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies and also of Jews Against the Occupation, a group described by Mr Magid as “dissident”, last week expressed her displeasure at such characterisation in letters to the Herald and the AJN.  “None who are truly familiar with me and the work I do would accuse me of using my Judaism to bash other Jews or our community,” she wrote.  “Rather, they understand that despite alternative political views I am fighting to have a progressive voice heard in our community.” 

Separately, Professor Halper’s appearance at the Emanuel Synagogue in Woollahra on March 23 has been cancelled. The synagogue’s executive director, Allan Glazerman, told AJN the academic was invited by the synagogue’s Rabbi Jeffrey Kamins to address a Torah class of about 12 people. “Our rabbi thought that for a regular class to hear his views about the demolition of Palestinian homes was important,” he said. “He certainly never intended it as a forum for the community.” 

But Ms Porzsolt said the arrangement had been for Professor Halper to speak in the context of one of their regular classes, but in a much larger venue.  She said this was the original basis for the synagogue agreeing to put an advert for the event in the AJN, although the synagogue later withdrew from this arrangement. Media reports last week suggested this was due to some members of the congregation being upset at what Professor Halper might say. 

An alternate venue has been found in Paddington. For details and information on university sessions visit www.jao.or.au

– BY SHANT FABRICATORIAN