Former Community Relations Commission chairman Vic Alhadeff is under pressure to relinquish involvement in next week's NSW Human Rights Award after the furore over his pro-Israeli comments.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Indigenous Social Justice Association president Ray Jackson said Mr Alhadeff, part of a three-member judging panel, should not attend the award presentation next Thursday after he defended Israel's actions in the Gaza conflict. Judging has already taken place.
Mr Alhadeff's remarks earlier this month sparked outrage from Arab and Muslim groups and led to his resignation from the community relations commission.
Mr Alhadeff is chief executive of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies. He was joined on the judging panel by indigenous advocate Mick Gooda and business leader Ainslie Van Onselen.
Mr Jackson said Mr Gooda should boycott the award ceremony if Mr Alhadeff participated. Volunteer manager of the Wheelchair for Kids Foundation, Gerry Georgatos, whose organisation assists injured children in war zones, also called on Mr Alhadeff to cease involvement in the awards.
Mr Alhadeff said his record as a human rights advocate "speaks for itself". Communities Minister Victor Dominello said Mr Alhadeff had judged the past two awards and was invited to attend the ceremony next week.
