Published: 8 January 2024
Last updated: 26 March 2024
Recent sermons from the radical imams include description of Jews as bloodthirsty monsters, denial of the Hamas massacre, and calls for jihad.
Australian authorities have failed to act to prevent Islamic preachers in Sydney from disseminating views which incite hatred against Jews.
ECAJ President Daniel Aghion says the Jewish community is “deeply disappointed and distressed” that no action had been taken in response to serious incidents of hate speech since October 7.
Aghion said if governments didn't act, the Jewish community will itself take legal action against the hate preachers. The ECAJ is currently taking legal advice on appropriate action to prevent further cases.
“Whilst we still have hope that the relevant authorities will act on these matters, our organisation will pursue the legal remedies that are available to us against those who have preached hate and promoted violence. We must protect our own community. In doing so, we will be protecting all Australians from racist behaviour,” Aghion said.
"The most important characteristic of the Jews is that they are bloodthirsty. They love to shed blood."
Imam Ahmed Zoud, in a sermon delivered at a Lakemba mosque
Several cases of incitement and hate speech have occurred since the October 7 Hamas massacre and the start of the subsequent Israel-Hamas War in Gaza. The incidents involve a small number of radical Islamic preachers in Sydney but neither the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils nor the Australian National Imams Council has spoken up against the offending imams.
