Letters in the Australian Jewish News re Cronulla

The Internet edition of today’s Australian Jewish News contains several interesting letters in regard to the Cronulla racist riots. There are also other interesting letters on Kadima’s politics and the long-running dispute between Norman Rothfield and the partisan leadership of the Anti-Defamation Commission. There is also an impressive comment on human rights from Robin Rothfield. For the time being I’m circulating Cronulla only. The full set of letters can be seen for the next seven days at:
http://www.ajn.com.au/pages/current-paper/letters.html

The letter from Steve Brook of the AJDS doesn’t seem to have appeared to be in the Melbourne print edition. It is also highly truncated. I have therefore included the final version of what was posted to the paper below.

- Sol Salbe

LETTERS

COMPROMISED IN CRONULLA

SECTIONS of the media, as well as left-wing and Islamic leaders, are already attempting to lay all the blame for the recent violence on Australians, believing them to be racist, rather than on the same thugs who, prior to Cronulla, used to bash Jews in Bondi and Dover Heights, but were ignored for years. While the events have been unfortunate, hopefully it will set aside political correctness to the point where a frank discussion can finally be had about these issues, rather than only discussing them after a suicide bombing — too late. Sadly, Premier Morris Iemma, as the Member for Lakemba, is hopelessly compromised in cracking down on perpetrators who originate from within his electorate while simultaneously trying to retain their vote.

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Daniel Lewis
Rushcutters Bay, NSW

NO ACCIDENT

THE strong anti-Arab and anti-Muslim overtones [of the Cronulla riots] were no accident. It is not possible to see the size of the mindless mob as other than the result of the climate of fear nurtured and exploited by the Federal government pushing its refugees, Iraq war and “war on terrorism” agenda. In this they were ably assisted by shock jocks on Sydney radio and various newspaper columnists. This unhealthy climate has transformed the alleged criminal actions of a small group of Lebanese youths into fear of a veritable conspiracy against the Australian way of life.

Steve Brook
Australian Jewish Democratic Society
Elwood, Vic

SHAMEFUL SCENES

THE shameful scenes that occurred at Cronulla Beach have tarnished Australia’s reputation around the world. The acts of wanton violence against innocent passers-by who happen to look Middle Eastern was an excuse to whip up festering hatreds against foreigners by white supremacists.

There might be Jews cheering these incidents because Lebanese Muslims are the victims but let’s not get too complacent because the underlying cause was not really the Lebanese. The anger was directed at multiculturalism.

We all know there are groups of Lebanese youths who drive hotted-up cars and cause trouble but this particular riot was whipped up by people with ulterior motives who were waiting for an opportunity to spread their ugly message of white supremacy. Many of these people are also antisemites. The whole drama at Cronulla should be seen for what it really was: racially motivated.

David Cashrein
Crows Nest, NSW

FULL AJDS LETTER

Sunday’s race riot at Cronulla may have shocked us, but it was not really surprising. There have been fights among various groups of young people there since the advent of the surf culture in the early ‘sixties. What was different this time was not only the massive scale but the strong racist overtones.

The strong anti-Arab and anti-Muslim overtones were no accident. It is not possible to see the size of the mindless mob as other than the result of the climate of fear nurtured and exploited by the Federal government pushing its refugees, Iraq war and “war on terrorism” agenda. In this they were ably assisted by shock jocks on Sydney radio and various newspaper columnists. This unhealthy climate has transformed the alleged criminal actions of a small group of Lebanese youths into fear of a veritable conspiracy against the Australian way of life.

We do not yet know what [exactly] happened a week earlier, but Jewish experience tells us that racist violence has very little to do with the victims’ real or imagined actions. They have to do with those who whip up racist sentiments for their own political and economic ends. If an inquiry is to be held into Sunday’s violence, then the role of both the Federal government and the media should not escape attention.

Steve Brook
For Committee
Australian Jewish Democratic Society.

ENDS

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