Latest news with #Ryvchin
Sky News AU
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
‘Obnoxious' pro-Palestinian activists on Harbour Bridge chant for the destruction of Israel
Executive Council of Australian Jewry Alex Ryvchin says the pro-Palestinian protestors on Sydney's Harbour Bridge this weekend are the 'same people who organised a rally as October 7 was still unfolding, effectively to celebrate those atrocities'. 'They're trying to pass this off as being about humanity, being about peace, but I think the Australian public will see right through that,' Mr Ryvchin told Sky News host Chris Kenny. 'These are people who, after 22 months, have not once chanted about peace … their version of peace and justice means the destruction of Israel wholesale.'
Sky News AU
2 days ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Jewish leader Alex Ryvchin blasts Sydney Mayor Clover Moore while lauding police 'maturity' in barring Sydney Harbour Bridge march
Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-CEO Alex Ryvchin has lauded NSW Police after the application to lead a pro-Palestine protest on the Sydney Harbour Bridge was rejected, but slammed Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore for supporting the protesters. The Palestine Action Group in Sydney announced on Sunday that a rally was being planned across the Harbour Bridge on August 3 to send a ''powerful'' message to the world on the conflict in Gaza. However, Acting Deputy Commissioner Peter McKenna said organisers wanted to close the bridge to allow up to 10,000 to cross, and there was not enough time to do it safely. He said that police had suggested alternative locations for the protest to take place and told reporters it was a matter of timing and public safety. Mr Ryvchin said the decision to set the Bridge off-limits showed that "common sense prevails'. The Jewish community leader said the protesters wanted the Bridge because the "bigger the landmark, the bigger the spectacle", which would help them to further their goals. Mr Ryvchin said "this particular brand of activists" thought they had a right to do whatever they wanted, but needed to remember their place within society. "They are so obnoxious and so extreme in their mentality, they need to be stopped," he said. NSW Premier Chris Minns said the protest should be held elsewhere while Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore, posted on social media that the protest should be allowed. 'It would be an incredibly powerful symbol for our most iconic landmark to be the site of a demonstration against starvation in Gaza and in favour of lasting peace,' Ms Moore said. Mr Ryvchin said Ms Moore was "kidding herself" and was putting her own politics above the people she was "supposed to serve". "Clover Moore needs to start thinking about the interests of the people of Sydney, but fortunately, again, the maturity of the police has prevailed and this march won't happen on the Bridge," he said. 'When she talks about this march being a lovely gesture of peace, peace does not enter the vocabulary of these people. They've never spoken about peace. 'They were in the streets celebrating immediately after October 7.' Mr Ryvchin said the protesters would likely march regardless of the Bridge being off limits. The Jewish leader said the activists were people who sought 'emotional gratification' and wanted to be seen 'standing up for something'. 'It's not about the Palestinians. It's about their own internal emotional nourishment and needs. That's what this is really about for them,' Mr Ryvchin said. He said the protesters, instead of getting it 'out of their system', had become 'more extreme' and 'more severe' in their behaviour and conduct. 'We're seeing a transfer from those rallies to the storming of restaurants, to the harassment of people in the streets, to the daubing of public buildings,' he said. 'Police need to determine whether we're a state of laws or whether this violent mob with their intentions are allowed to prevail and hold sway over the vast majority of Sydneysiders who are peaceful and law abiding.'
New York Post
06-07-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Antisemitic attackers violently target synagogue, Israeli restaurant in Australia
A series of antisemitic attacks in Australia, including an arson attack on a synagogue in Melbourne and a violent raid on an Israeli-owned restaurant, has Jews in the Australian city living in fear and demanding officials take action. The first attack occurred when assailants started a fire outside the exterior doors of the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation. Around 20 worshipers were eating Shabbat dinner inside, according to SBS News. The police have not yet categorized the incident a terror attack. Advertisement Avi Yemini, chief reporter for Rebel News Online in Australia, said the fire brigade's rapid response kept 'yet another synagogue in this city from being destroyed in a terror attack, like the firebombing of the Adas Israel Synagogue last year, which remains unsolved.' Later that same evening, some 20 masked extremists terrorized diners at Israeli-owned restaurant Miznon. According to The Jerusalem Post, protesters chanted 'death to the IDF (Israel Defense Forces)' and threw chairs and glassware at the restaurant. 4 The first attack occurred outside of the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation. FOX News Yemeni told Fox News Digital protesters were 'causing absolute mayhem' and escalated 'to violence against patrons and the destruction of property, ultimately sending terrified diners running for safety.' Advertisement One protester was arrested by Victoria Police but was released and issued a summons. SBS News also reported that Victoria Police are investigating a third incident, in which offenders set fire to three vehicles, destroying one, and spray-painted a nearby wall. A police commander declined to say whether the painting's content was antisemitic but described all three incidents as containing 'inferences of antisemitism.' 4 A Melbourne restaurant 'Miznon' with ties to Israeli aid group becomes a crime scene as protesters knock over tables, smashed plates, bottles and glass. many protesters were arrested. Gemma Hubeek/SOPA Images/Shutterstock 4 A protester is being pushed out of the way by the police. Gemma Hubeek/SOPA Images/Shutterstock Advertisement Alex Ryvchin, co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ), issued a statement on X and urged that 'all sides of politics and all Australians to condemn these deplorable crimes.' 'Those who chant for death are not peace activists. Those who would burn houses of prayer with families inside do not seek an end to war,' Ryvchin said. Noting the 'violent ideology at work in our country that operates on the fringes of politics and social movements,' Ryvchin said 'those responsible cannot be reasoned with or appeased. They must be confronted with the full force of the law.' 4 One protester was arrested by Victoria Police but ultimately was released. FOX News Advertisement Yemini said Friday's attacks demonstrate how 'emboldened' protesters have become. 'Since October 7, Victoria Police — under the direction of the government — have allowed anti-Israel protesters to effectively hold Melbourne hostage,' he said. Gideon Sa'ar, the Israeli minister of foreign affairs, also strongly condemned the attacks, saying there 'have been too many antisemitic attacks in Australia,' and he called on the Australian government to 'do more to fight this poisonous disease.' Between Oct. 1, 2023, and Sept. 30, 2024, the ECAJ counted 2,062 antisemitic incidents in Australia.
The Star
06-07-2025
- The Star
Australia police search for suspect in arson attack on Melbourne synagogue
Fire crew members and police officers work the scene of a fire at Adass Israel Synagogue in the suburb of Ripponlea, Melbourne, Australia, on Friday, December 6, 2024. - Photo: AP file SYDNEY: Australian police said late on Friday (July 4) they were looking for a man suspected of deliberately starting a fire at a Melbourne synagogue filled with worshippers. The fire at the synagogue in the east of Victoria's state capital was sparked on Friday night, police said in a statement. Firefighters extinguished the blaze at the entrance and there were no injuries. "There were approximately 20 people inside the synagogue at the time of the incident," police said, adding that an arson specialist was investigating the scene. Police said of the attack there was "no place in our society for antisemitic or hate-based behaviour". Alex Ryvchin, co-CEO of Executive Council of Australian Jewry, an umbrella group for Australia's Jews, said in a statement the arson took place as those inside sat down to Shabbat dinner. "These events are a severe escalation directed towards our community," Ryvchin said. Australia has suffered several antisemitic incidents in recent years, with homes, schools, synagogues and vehicles targeted by vandalism and arson, drawing the ire of the country's traditional ally Israel. The incidents have included a fake plan set up by organised crime to attack a Sydney synagogue using a caravan of explosives in order to divert police resources, police said in March. - Reuters
Sky News AU
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Jewish community calls for increased action after latest antisemitic attacks
Executive Council of Australian Jewry Co-CEO Alex Ryvchin discusses the political response to a recent wave of antisemitic attacks. 'At a rhetorical level, the response has been as one would expect, it's been strong and unequivocal, and timely,' Mr Ryvchin told Sky News Australia. 'We're well beyond the point of words; we need to see action, and that's what the Jewish community is calling for.'
