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The federal court鈥檚 judgement this week that Islamic preacher Wissam Haddad did breach Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act is a landmark finding.
Notwithstanding the court鈥檚 orders that Haddad and his Al Madina Dawah Centre must remove the vile sermons at the centre of the case from the internet and social media, other hate preachers will now have to think very carefully before publicly vilifying and inciting against the Jewish community.
For Jewish Australians, the court findings represent a rare shining light in 21 months of darkness since October 7, 2023.
First, we watched crowds celebrate the Hamas-led massacre on the steps of the Sydney Opera House. We then watched in horror as weekly rallies calling for the destruction of the Jewish state took over our capital cities. 600 of us were doxxed, our schools were vandalised, and Sydney experienced its summer of antisemitism.
All while preachers like Wissam Haddad spewed hate and vitriol from their pulpits, seemingly without consequence.
Law enforcement and government seemed powerless. It was left to the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) to act where others had failed to do so.
And we know now that amongst all the disappointment we have felt in those who were meant to protect us, we can take immense comfort in knowing at least, that the institutions themselves of our western democratic country have not failed us.
It gives us hope that as long as such institutions remain robust, the way of life we knew in Australia prior to October 7, 2023 may yet not be lost.
A number of years ago, when the then Coalition government was debating watering down Section 18C in the name of free speech, the ECAJ joined other organisations in fighting the proposed changes. Our communal roof body had incredible foresight then to know what it was fighting for.
Free speech is and should be a right, but hate speech is not. It should have consequences.
And in finding as it did, the court has acted to protect all people, not just Jews, from hate and discrimination. Essentially, while Haddad鈥檚 contribution to our country is to vilify a group of Australians, the ECAJ鈥檚 has been to fight, and win, for all Australians.
Kol Hakavod.