Zajac responds to Crowne Plaza incident
December 5, 2023 by David Marlow
Read on for article
Philip Zajac, the newly elected president of the Jewish Community Council of Victoria, has responded to the appalling hotel demonstration in Melbourne on Wednesday night which targeted visiting families of Israeli hostages.
Philip Zajac
He told J-Wire: “I had the privilege of meeting in Melbourne with family members of Israelis killed or kidnapped by Hamas. You could not help but be moved to tears listening to what they went through. But these are strong Jewish people, determined to fight for their family members and fight for our Jewish homeland. What became clear during our short meeting is that we are all family, we hurt when Israelis hurt.”
“I would like to pay tribute to the courage of our visitors: Iris Haim (mother of Yotam Haim who remains a hostage in Gaza), Mika Shani (sister of Amit Shani, who was released by Hamas on the night Mika was in Melbourne), Ofir Tamir and Amit Parpara (friends of Noa Argamani, who remains in Gaza), Tali Kizher (mother of Segev Kizher who was murdered by Hamas) and Elad Levy (uncle of Roni Eshel, who was murdered by Hamas).
On returning to their hotel, the family members were confronted by “some of the world’s most callous demonstrators. These protesters covered their faces , held fake blood covered props and screamed at these innocent civilians. How anyone can think this is an acceptable form of protest is just beyond me”, said Zajac.
“In response, I met with the Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ingrid Stitt on Thursday, in the hours after the protest to try and help her understand the impact of yet another hateful protest on our Victorian Jewish community. I will be following up with the Police Minister Anthony Carbines as well. How many times does our community need to watch as Victoria Police let these protesters get away with their hate, violence and psychological terror?”.
“It is getting to the point where words of condemnation are no longer enough. If no action is taken against these callous thugs, they will be empowered to continue.”
Zajac told J-Wire that other responses to the Government and Police are being planned, and legal avenues were being explored.
How about reversing the idiotic sequence of removing the victims to allow the perpetrators to escape unscathed? Vic police’s behaviour was as bad as the NSW police’s permit for the antiSemitic march to the Opera House, while cancelling the peaceful Jewish gathering. Another question – Why did hotel staff fail to call the police to clear the foyer before the return of the Israelis?