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Preamble
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As members of the First Fleet of settlement of what was to become the country of
Australia, the Australian Jewish community is unique among Diaspora communities.
It has always been an integral partner in the development of Australian society,
not simply because of this historical fact, but also because of two more profound
factors.
Firstly, it is difficult to think of another country where Jews have been as much
part of the larger society as in Australia. Quite simply we are at home here,
something that sadly has not always been the Jewish experience.
Secondly, and intimately connected to the first point, the Jewish community has made
a remarkable and recognised contribution to the Australian way of life. Through the
efforts of talented and hardworking individuals or groups, the Australian Jewish
community is proud of the part it has played in the many cultural, political, social
and economic achievements of this great diverse country. Not least amongst these are
the Jewish men and women, many of whom paid the ultimate price, who served at home
and abroad in defence of the principles for which Australia stands.
The current policy platform of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry is outlined
below. These are the beliefs and values of the Australian Jewish community, which we
are confident enhance general Australian values of democracy, the rule of law, the
freedom, rights and responsibilities of the individual, understanding and respect, and
a fair go for all.
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2. Recent Events in Israel
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The Executive Council of Australian Jewry:
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| 2.1 |
EXPRESSES its unshakeable solidarity with Israel and her people, and in particular
with the communities of the north of the State of Israel, who have recently endured
tremendous upheaval, physical and psychological trauma, loss of life and property as
a result of the unprovoked attack across the border by Hezbollah;
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| 2.2 |
WELCOMES the presence of international forces and the Lebanese army in South Lebanon
in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and requests the Australian
Government to join in international efforts to ensure that the Hezbollah is fully
disarmed in accordance with that resolution;
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| 2.3 |
DEEPLY regrets the loss of innocent life on all sides of a conflict initiated by
Hezbollah;
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| 2.4 |
CALLS on the Lebanese Government and Hezbollah to immediately release the
kidnapped Israeli soldiers Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev and to fully implement
all the terms of UN resolution 1701;
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| 2.5 |
SENDS a strong message of support to the citizens of Sderot and all the communities
on the border with Gaza who have suffered and continue to suffer daily rocket
attacks;
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| 2.6 |
ACKNOWLEDGES the efforts of many parties, to secure the release of the kidnapped
Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit and CALLS ON the Palestinian Authority and the
Palestinian Security Forces to actively assist in finding Gilad and ensuring his
safe return to his family in Israel;
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| 2.7 |
DEMANDS that the Hamas-led Palestinian Government accept the calls of the
international community to recognise the State of Israel, renounce armed conflict
and accept all prior agreements entered into between Israel and the Palestinian
Authority.
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4. Jewish Education
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The Executive Council of Australian Jewry:
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| 4.1 |
STRESSES the importance of Jewish day schools having high quality Jewish Studies
and Hebrew curricula;
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| 4.2 |
ESPRESSES support for the Zionist Federation of Australia initiated "Teaching Israel"
program and CALLS ON all Jewish Day Schools and Boards of Jewish Education and Boards
of Progressive Jewish Education to substantially increase the teaching of modern Israel
and contemporary issues facing Israel and world and Australian Jewry in programs
offered from Year 6 to Year 11;
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| 4.3 |
RECOGNISES Australia has a proud record for provision of day school
education;
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| 4.4 |
RECONFIRMS the responsibility of leaders of Australian Jewry to seek to ensure
that no Jewish child is denied full-time Jewish education due to financial
considerations;
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| 4.5 |
RECONFIRMS the responsibility of leaders of Australian Jewry to seek to ensure
that no Jewish child is denied full-time Jewish education due to financial
considerations; and the continued responsibility of leaders of Australian Jewry
to support organisations that provide Jewish education of children who are outside
of the Jewish day school system to ensure Jewish continuity for all;
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| 4.6 |
NOTES that the Jewish Community maintains a number of private day schools
throughout the nation which are essential to Jewish learning and our community's
continuity;
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| 4.7 |
NOTES that the Jewish community has been treated fairly in past allocations of
government support for Independent schools;
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| 4.8 |
CALLS UPON the Federal Government to ensure that Jewish Day schools will not be
disadvantaged under any amended funding formulae;
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| 4.9 |
NOTES that the provision of Jewish education to Jewish students who do not attend
Jewish day schools in some states, particularly through the NSW Board of Jewish
Education in New South Wales and the United Jewish Education Board in Victoria,
is essential to ensuring Jewish learning and our community's continuity for those
outside of the Jewish day school movement.
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6. Terrorism
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The Executive Council of Australian Jewry:
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| 6.1 |
JOINS in mourning the victims of terrorism in Israel and throughout the world, and
extends condolences to the relatives and friends of those who have been murdered, and
sympathy and wishes full recovery to the injured;
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| 6.2 |
SUPPORTS efforts to prevent terrorist attacks, including the enactment of effective
anti-terrorism laws, the application of resources for efficient investigative processes,
and Australian participation in the international war against terrorism;
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| 6.3 |
URGES the United Nations and all governments to take effective action against countries
which have served as a haven and have provided bases and support for terrorists;
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| 6.4 |
NOTES the importance of legislation designed to counter terrorism and to provide security
properly recognising the required balance between human rights and law enforcement, and
recognising that the great majority of Australian Muslims abhor terrorism;
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| 6.5 |
CALLS ON the Federal Government to have measures in place to respond to promotion of
terrorism on Satellite television services available to Australian subscribers, and
applauds the efforts made to ensure that the cohesion of Australia's multicultural
society is not prejudiced;
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| 6.6 |
URGES the Australian, United States and other governments to act against Palestinian
and other anti-Israeli terrorist organisations such as Hamas, Hezbollah and Islamic
Jihad;
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| 6.7 |
CALLS ON the Federal Government to proscribe all wings of Hamas, Hezbollah, Islamic
Jihad and the Al Aqsa Brigades, as well as organisations that fund and facilitate
international terrorism.
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11. Ethnic Affairs
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The Executive Council of Australian Jewry:
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| 11.1 |
RECOGNISES the distinctive character of the Australian Jewish community as part of the
Jewish people, with a shared history, tradition and linguistic and religious heritage,
and as a vital and vibrant component of multicultural Australia;
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| 11.2 |
RECOGNISES the pluralistic nature of Australian Jewry and the complex nature of the
various ethnicities of Australian Jewry due to diverse language, cultural origin and
national background;
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| 11.3 |
ACKNOWLEDGES the right of any Jewish organisation to identify as an ethnic organisation
due to the choice of the membership of that organisation or due to specific aims,
objectives and programs consistent with policies and programs of the government relating
to ethnic affairs;
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| 11.4 |
VALUES the friendly cooperation and cordial relationship between Australian Jewry and
ethnic groups and roof bodies within Australia;
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| 11.5 |
ENCOURAGES close liaison between Jewish organisations, ethnic communities councils
and other Australian groups in the pursuit of common policies in the best interests
of the total Australian community.
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13. Aboriginal Reconciliation
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The Executive Council of Australian Jewry:
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| 13.1 |
RECOGNISES Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the first Australians, with
unique cultures, languages and spiritual relationships to the land and seas;
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| 13.2 |
PURSUES a vision of an Australia that provides equal rights and life chances for all;
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| 13.3 |
AFFIRMS the fundamental importance of reconciliation as the basis of an Australian Community
which respects the diversity of values, cultures, ideas and the contribution of all
people;
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| 13.4 |
SUPPORTS Reconciliation Australia's National Program of Action which encourages
organisations and individuals to turn their good intentions into action. Accordingly,
the Council WILL DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT a Reconciliation Action Plan that will include
actions, timeframes for implementation and performance measures.
Areas for action may include the Council using its networks to:
o Raise Community awareness and understanding of the historic, social and economic
factors which contribute to the current levels of disadvantage confronting many
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities;
o Influence governments and business to address the systemic issues that keep many
Aboriginal and Strait Islander people and their communities in poor health and poverty;
o Support human rights based approaches to economic and social development programs
in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities;
o Lead inter-faith alliances to develop and provide targeted financial and capacity
building support to selected projects which strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander organisations' governance, management, service delivery and professional
development.
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| 13.5 |
ENCOURAGES the Jewish community in Australia to increase its knowledge and understanding
of the identity and experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait peoples and reflect this
awareness in our social relationships and our support for their advancement;
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| 13.6 |
CALLS UPON the governments, business and civil communities and people of Australia to take
action to reduce the relative disadvantage many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
may face by improving education, health, housing, employment, governance, social and communal
relationships and law and justice;
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| 13.7 |
CALLS ON Jewish organisations around Australia to speak out in favour of reconciliation,
actively participate in the annual events: Week of Prayer for Reconciliation and National
Reconciliation Week.
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14. On-Line Services and the Internet
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The Executive Council of Australian Jewry:
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| 14.1 |
NOTES that the Internet is increasingly being used by individuals and organisations
to propagate antisemitism;
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| 14.2 |
RECOGNISES the complexities involved in any system of regulation of on-line services;
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| 14.3 |
AFFIRMS the view that any act which is illegal in traditional means of communication should be
illegal if it is committed through on-line services;
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| 14.4 |
SUPPORTS moves to bring in a Code of Practice for Australian Internet Service
Providers and other regulatory measures for the Internet based on the principles that:
o Nothing that is unlawful to print or broadcast should be able to escape the intention
of the law due to being published or communicated through on-line services;
o No person, entity or organisation should be punished for an act they could not reasonably
know has been committed;
o The right to freedom of speech must be respected, bearing in mind that in democratic
societies this right is conditional and, for example, is not extended to allow for the
commission or promotion of unlawful acts, or other behaviour contrary to the public good;
o Governments have a responsibility to counter the activities of those who promote contempt
and hatred for its citizens;
o The Internet should not be regarded differently to other means by which speech and ideas
are disseminated.
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16. Accommodation of Religious Practices
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The Executive Council of Australian Jewry:
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| 16.1 |
NOTES decisions by a number of instrumentalities which recognise and support the
right of all staff to meet their religious and ceremonial obligations, regardless
of religious, ethnic or cultural background;
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| 16.2 |
RECOGNISES the right of all Australians to observe religious and ceremonial obligations;
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| 16.3 |
SUPPORTS the broad thrust of the HREOC's draft guidelines on "Avoiding Religious Discrimination
in Employment;
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| 16.4 |
CALLS UPON government and employers organisations to respect and support, as a matter of policy,
the right of employees to meet the obligations of their faiths;
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| 16.5 |
CALLS UPON the Australian Government to finetune its Workchoices legislation to ensure that
religious and ceremonial obligations can be observed without attracting the threat of loss
of employment.
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18. Gett Refusal
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The Executive Council of Australian Jewry:
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| 18.1 |
RECALLS the concern expressed by the ECAJ at the need for remedies to alleviate the
plight of victims of wilful Gett refusal;
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| 18.2 |
APPLAUDS the efforts over some years by the Joint Task Force of the ECAJ and the
Organisation of Rabbis of Australasia to develop useful proposals;
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| 18.3 |
NOTES that the British Parliament has now joined the legislatures of Canada,
South Africa and New York in passing laws to provide remedies aimed at releasing those
spouses who are "chained" by wilful Gett refusal;
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| 18.4 |
WELCOMES the Report of The Family Law Council of Australia which recommends to the
Attorney-General that the joint legislative proposal of the ECAJ and ORA should be
enacted as Australian law;
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| 18.5 |
URGES the Australian Government to legislate in the terms of that Report as an urgent
human rights measure;
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| 18.6 |
DEPLORES the sudden decision by Rabbi Shlomo Amar, Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel,
to cancel the International Rabbinical Conference on Agunot and URGES that it be
speedily reconvened.
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20. Crimes Against Humanity
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The Executive Council of Australian Jewry:
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| 20.1 |
NOTES the affirmation by the Australian Government in 1987 that Australia must not
serve as a haven for individuals who participated in crimes against humanity during
the course of the Nazi Genocide;
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| 20.2 |
RECOGNISES the difficulties encountered in the trials of alleged Nazi War Criminals
thus far conducted in Australia;
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| 20.3 |
RECOGNISES that major legal and political obstacles needed to be overcome to establish
extradition treaties with some of the countries which were the scene of the crimes of
the Holocaust;
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| 20.4 |
RECOGNISES that extradition of Nazi war criminals to the countries of their origin and
where their crimes took place is not a substitute for effective Australian legislation
but is a welcome complement to it;
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| 20.5 |
SUPPORTS the process of developing extradition treaties between Australia and all
countries from which individuals involved in crimes against humanity may have
participated in these crimes prior to arriving in Australia;
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| 20.6 |
CALLS UPON the Australian Government to amend citizenship law so as to allow for
individuals who concealed involvement in crimes against humanity to have their
citizenship removed, regardless of the length of time they have held
citizenship;
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| 20.7 |
URGES the Australian Government to ensure, where sufficient evidence exists, that
prosecutions continue to be instituted against alleged Nazi war criminals in
Australia;
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| 20.8 |
CALLS UPON the Federal Government to introduce legislation to enable persons living
in Australia who are accused of ordering, committing or perpetrating any cases of
genocide or crimes against humanity to be prosecuted in Australia.
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21. Racism in Australia
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The Executive Council of Australian Jewry:
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| 21.1 |
DEPLORES all manifestations of racist action and speech;
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| 21.2 |
SUPPORTS public programs to educate Australians regarding the irrationality and
evil of racism;
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| 21.3 |
CALLS ON leaders of all mainstream political parties to consistently articulate
a vision of Australia which embraces cultural diversity and in which each Australian
is guaranteed dignity and rights;
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| 21.4 |
CALLS ON all mainstream political parties to place racist divisive and extremist
candidates in the last positions when allocating electoral preferences;
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| 21.5 |
CALLS on political, civil and religious leaders to play public, leadership roles
in emphasising the unacceptability of racism.
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22. Anti-Racism Legislation
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The Executive Council of Australian Jewry:
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| 22.1 |
NOTES the activities of extremist organisations, the currency of certain racist myths
and the tolerance given to racist commentary by some sections of the mainstream media;
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| 22.2 |
NOTES that racial vilification and racial violence in Australia has intensified since
September 11, 2001;
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| 22.3 |
ACKNOWLEDGES that effective responses to racism include moral and political leadership
from public figures, legislation to give victims of racism recourse, and on-going public
education;
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| 22.4 |
COMMENDS those public figures who have taken a leadership position against racism and
antisemitism;
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| 22.5 |
CALLS ON the Federal Government to strengthen the Racial Discrimination Act by providing
improved access, remedies and procedures.
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23. Antisemitism
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The Executive Council of Australian Jewry:
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| 23.1 |
EXPRESSES ALARM at the escalation in acts of antisemitism throughout the world including
assaults on Jewish people, attacks on Synagogues and other Jewish Institutions and
businesses owned by Jews;
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| 23.2 |
NOTES that a significant number of incidents have been carried out by Islamist groups
who support and engage in antisemitic violence;
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| 23.3 |
NOTES that extremist left and right-wing organisations have encouraged their supporters
to work together with extremist elements within Muslim and Arab communities;
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| 23.4 |
CALLS ON the UN and all countries to take all necessary steps to ensure that those violent
antisemitic incidents are not repeated and to protect Jewish citizens and communal property
and to prevent other acts of anti-Jewish incitement;
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| 23.5 |
CONDEMNS the prevalence of anti-Jewish rhetoric in the mass-media which hides behind criticisms
of Israel.
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24. Incidents of Antisemitic Violence, Vandalism and Harassment
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The Executive Council of Australian Jewry:
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| 24.1 |
NOTES the importance of the Jewish community's national leadership having an accurate
picture of the nature and extent of antisemitic violence, vandalism, intimidation and
harassment in Australia;
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| 24.2 |
NOTES that the only communal bodies which are in a position to act on behalf of the
entire Jewish community in each state and territory are the constituents of the
ECAJ;
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| 24.3 |
STRESSES the importance of state constituents making known their role in collating
information relating to antisemitism;
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| 24.4 |
REAFFIRMS that all community organisations should promptly forward reports of
incidents of antisemitism to the Constituent bodies of the ECAJ.
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25. Antisemitic Vandalism
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The Executive Council of Australian Jewry:
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| 25.1 |
COMMMENDS the steps taken by Australian police forces to provide visible protection
for Jewish communal gatherings;
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| 25.2 |
RE-STATES concern at the failure of law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute
individuals responsible for arson attacks on synagogues, assaults and harassment;
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| 25.3 |
NOTES that the perpetrators of other acts of antisemitic vandalism have rarely been
identified and therefore remain at large;
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| 25.4 |
CALLS ON state and federal law enforcement agencies to urgently upgrade the capacity
to pursue and apprehend the perpetrators of acts of racist violence and vandalism
and to fund both public and Jewish communal strategies to achieve those ends;
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| 25.5 |
CALLS UPON the Federal Government to alleviate the costly security burden borne by Jewish
communities Australia-wide by enabling donations for the purpose of the provision of
security to Jewish institutions to be tax deductible.
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27. Interfaith Relations
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The Executive Council of Australian Jewry:
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| 27.1 |
CONGRATULATES members of the Australian National Dialogue of Christians, Muslims & Jews,
the Anglican Jewish Australian Dialogue, The National Dialogue of the Uniting Church in
Australia/ECAJ and Australian Catholic Bishops Committee/ECAJ Annual Conversation on the
conduct and outcome of their meetings;
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| 27.2 |
APPLAUDS the development in Sydney of the Women's Interfaith Network which now has four
branches;
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| 27.3 |
WELCOMES the development of multi-faith events and contacts between bodies representing
many diverse faith groups;
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| 27.4 |
APPLAUDS activities which improve the basis for dialogue between Jews and Christians;
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| 27.5 |
NOTES past efforts at improving Jewish-Muslim relations, particularly those which have recognised
common concerns in areas such as religious liberty, racial tolerance and recognition of
religious rights;
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| 27.6 |
SUPPORTS dialogue and cooperation between representatives of the Jewish community and all
the Faith communities with a view to common action for communal tolerance and
inter-community cooperation;
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| 27.7 |
CALLS on all religious groups to respect the dignity and right of all people to maintain
their own religious traditions;
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| 27.8 |
APPLAUDS the work of APRO - The Australian Partnership of Religious Organisations;
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| 27.9 |
SUPPORTS the expansion of the dialogue process to include other partner organisations
representing religious communities.
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36. Stem Cell Research
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The Executive Council of Australian Jewry:
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| 36.1 |
NOTES that leading rabbinic authorities have given their support to the use of existing
embryos for stem cell research, mindful that Jewish law concerns itself that such embryos
are only appropriately obtained;
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| 36.2 |
NOTES that stem cell research offers great hope to many sufferers and contains the potential
to rectify painful, debilitating and life shortening genetic conditions;
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| 36.3 |
SUPPORTS properly conducted research into the saving of life as a part of our human mandate to
act in the image of God, to heal and to be merciful;
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| 36.4 |
CALLS ON all ECAJ Constituents, Affiliates and Observer Organisations to encourage Australian
Jews to publicly support the opportunities which stem cell research provides as
reinforcing and not diminishing the sanctity of life.
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37. Terrorism
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The Executive Council of Australian Jewry:
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| 37.1 |
NOTES the importance of legislation designed to counter terrorism and to provide
security properly recognising the required balance between human rights and law
enforcement, and recognising that the great majority of Australian Muslims abhor
terrorism;
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| 37.2 |
CALLS ON the Federal Government to have measures in place to respond to promotion
of terrorism on Satellite television services available to Australian subscribers,
and applauds the efforts made to ensure that the cohesion of Australia's
multicultural society is not prejudiced.
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| 37.3 |
URGES the Australian, United States and other governments to act against Palestinian
and other anti-Israeli terrorist organisations such as Hamas, Hezbollah and Islamic
Jihad;
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| 37.4 |
CALLS ON the Federal Government to proscribe all wings of Hamas, Hezbollah, Islamic
Jihad and the Al Aqsa Brigades, as well as organisations that fund and facilitate
international terrorism.
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38. UN World Conference Against Racism
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The Executive Council of Australian Jewry:
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| 38.1 |
STRONGLY DEPLORES the conduct, procedures and outcomes of the NGO and Youth Forums
which preceded and were integrally related to the United Nations World Conference
against Racism (WCAR) held in Durban, South Africa, in 2001;
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| 38.2 |
NOTES that the NGO Forums were undemocratic in the extreme, promoted overt antisemitism,
as well as virulent anti-Israel propaganda, and facilitated intimidation and harassment
of Jews;
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| 38.3 |
REJECTS the final documents produced by the NGO forums, noting the corrupt and dishonest
processes by which they were produced and CALLS ON the United Nations to formally
dissociate itself from those documents and the processes they put into effect;
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| 38.4 |
RECORDS ITS CONCERN that the UN Governmental conference failed to adequately confront
attempts to use the UN conference to promote extreme anti-Zionism and antisemitism,
applauding the forthright and courageous stand of Government of Australia, and the
consistent support for principle by the European Union, Canada and other countries
who fought against the antisemitic and anti-Israel distortions throughout and after
the conference;
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| 38.5 |
COMMENDS the Australian government for opposing attempts at the United Nations to
whitewash the WCAR.
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