Over the past two weeks, disturbing reports in the media have been splashed across television, newspapers and discussed on radio.

They have related to apparently racially motivated attacks on segments of the community to the point where there have been consequential protest events held which have further attracted attacks, both verbal and physical, against the protesters.

The NSW Council of Christians and Jews (CCJNSW) finds these racist actions directed against segments of our community reprehensible and both: (a) inciteful of racism, bad social behaviour and at times encouraging others who also wish to participate in such activities; and (b) against the basic precepts that all religions hold and promote, namely – respect for another person, irrespective of race, creed, colour, sex, age, disability; – freedom of association; – and most importantly, peacefulness and the promotion of peace in the community and in the world.

The CCJNSW calls upon the community to remember and follow the commonly held precepts that indeed stem from these principles and to take steps to cease and prevent further violence against anyone in the community, irrespective of race or religion, ethnic background, country of origin.

If those in the community to whom this is addressed can take steps to learn about, understand, meet with on a peaceful basis, break bread with those others in the community against whom violence, vitriol and inciteful behaviour has been directed, then the members of the community at large will better understand each other. The CCJNSW strongly advocates 'learning about the other' as a means to foster peace and good relations within the community at large. Through education about the common threads that bind our community, we will better understand our neighbours.

CCJNSW believes that institutions, government and communal, work together with the community for such reasons and encourages all those participants to further their efforts.

William Szekely
President
NSW Council of Christians and Jews