Waverley Council condemns attacks in Israel, to provide support to community

By JUSTIN COOPER

An urgent motion has been passed through Waverley Municipal Council condemning the ongoing crisis in Israel, aiming to provide support to the local community, specifically towards the large Jewish population within the LGA.

During Tuesday’s council meeting, the motion was presented by Cr Will Nemesh and Cr Steven Lewis. Requesting the council to formally acknowledge and condemn the attacks from listed terror organisation Hamas, the motion extends to providing “financial and in-kind support” to the local Jewish Community.

A budget of $10,000 is expected to be provided from the General Manager’s operational budget towards supporting Jewish community organisations and social services.

Expressing solidarity with community

In presenting the motion, Cr Nemesh described the impact of the “horrific” conflict affecting the large population of Jewish people within the council area. Waverley holds the largest Jewish community within New South Wales, with over ten thousand jewish residents, according to .ID.

“The people of Israel, the Australian Jewish community and the wider community have been in mourning… and this council has a strong and enduring connection to the Jewish community,” Cr Nemesh explained during his submission.

Describing messages from the CEO of Jewish Care, Gary Groves, Cr Nemesh expressed the need for the motion to further support increased demand for social support and professional counselling during this time.

“There are many councillors here today personally impacted by the events of israel. The Australian jewish community is small, but everyone in it at least knows somebody who has been murdered, injured or now called up for service,” said Nemesh.

“There will be tough days ahead, not just in the middle-east, but here in Waverley. With council’s adoption of this motion, we make it clear we are putting our community first, and we stand by those that need our help,” Nemesh continued.

Cr Lewis, seconding the motion, followed by describing the “barbarous” attacks and the impact it has continued to have throughout the community. Noting the spike in anti-semitism following the conflict, Lewis called for the council’s support.

“We want the Waverley Jewish community to know, there is no what-aboutism, no moral relativism, no justification whatsoever, for these terrorist atrocities… At this time, of grief and despair, the Jewish community is not alone,” said Cr Lewis.

Emotional submissions were made by multiple councillors supporting the presented motion, expressing their condolences, personal experiences, and statements made from the local
community following the attacks.

Proposed amendments 

During submissions, an amendment was proposed by Cr Dominic Wy Kanak and Deputy Mayor Ludovico Fabiano.

The amendments sought to further condemn the Hamas attacks on both Israeli and Palestinian civilians, and for the council to call for an “immediate ceasefire” in ending the war in Gaza.

Furthermore, the motion’s clause for the council to write to the NSW Premier to “take all steps necessary to ensure the safety of the NSW Jewish community,” was requested to include “all communities impacted by these events.”

Speaking to the amendment, Deputy Mayor Fabiano further condemned the attacks having impacted many local communities.

“Within our community, we’re a multicultural community, and there’s people that come from all over the world,” Deputy Mayor Fabiano explained.

“A lot of people are being impacted, therefore we should provide that it covers the whole breath of our multicultural community,” he said, in reference to including the amendments.

Following discussions, the council ultimately defeated the amendments.

Posting to social media following the amendment’s defeat, Fabiano called for “an end to attacks on all civilians.”

“I wish to stress that we did condemn the atrocities of Hamas and we did express our support of the Jewish community at this time, as well as propose the amendments above in an attempt to achieve some balance,” he explained.

Following further submissions from the council, the majority supported and passed the motion, with nine votes in favour.

Mayor’s Response

Waverley Mayor Paula Masselos expressed her condolences to community relatives who have been impacted by “this dreadful violence.”

Explaining the impact of the confronting scenes captured online and circulating through media, Mayor Masselos acknowledged the “great concern and distress” impacting the Waverley community.

“Care and respect are among our core values at Waverley Council and these values are what help shape resilient and compassionate communities that lean on one another during times of need,” says Mayor Masselos.

“We need to continue to look out for our fellow neighbours, acknowledging that many in our community are suffering deep pain at this time,” she continued.

“I am pleased that Waverley Council can make some contribution towards helping our community at this horrific time.”