| AFIC President, Dr. Rateb Jneid, stated, “The misuse of serious incidents for political grandstanding must end. |
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Calls for Political Responsibility Following Unfounded ‘Antisemitic’ Claims
12/03/2025
(See translation in Arabic section)
Sydney-Middle East Times Int'l: The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC) expresses deep concern over the recent revelations that a series of incidents, previously labelled as ‘antisemitic attacks’, were in fact orchestrated by organised crime groups and not motivated by racial or religious hatred. Recent reports confirm that these incidents were falsely represented, leading to unnecessary fear and tension within communities, particularly among Jewish Australians.
This situation highlights a disturbing rush to judgment by political leaders who too quickly attributed these actions to terrorism and antisemitism, exacerbating fear and division within our society. Such premature declarations have not only misled the public but have also contributed to the stigmatisation of the Muslim and pro-Palestinian communities, falsely associating them with these criminal activities.
The consequences of such hasty political responses have been significant. They have led to the implementation of stringent new hate laws and the so-called ‘strengthening’ of existing ones, which were enacted without proper verification of the facts. This approach has damaged the social fabric of our nation, undermining the trust and cohesion among its diverse communities.
AFIC President, Dr. Rateb Jneid, stated, “The misuse of serious incidents for political grandstanding must end. Our political leaders must exhibit restraint and await thorough investigations before making public pronouncements that have the potential to cause community harm. We urge all political figures to uphold standards of responsibility and integrity, ensuring their actions contribute to unity rather than division.â€
Dr. Jneid further emphasised, “We expect and demand better from our leaders. They must foster an environment of trust, not fear; unity, not division. Their role should be to calm, not to inflame. We call on all parties to learn from this incident and to commit to a more cautious and respectful approach in dealing with sensitive community issues.â€
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AFIC, established in 1964, stands as the Peak Muslim Organisation in Australia, with 170 members including 9 State and Territory Councils. It has a rich history of pioneering numerous community services and actively advocating for the rights and representation of the Muslim community . Authorised: Dr Rateb Jneid, President |
