NSW Premier Chris Minns has vowed a prayer hall where a controversial Islamic preacher delivered “racist, anti-Semitic” lectures will remain closed as he warns Sydneysiders to expect heavily armed police on New Year’s Eve.
The Prime Minister also revealed that discussions are underway about the possible use of the military to protect Jewish institutions and highlighted the possibility of arming a community group to act as a security force at synagogues, Jewish events and institutions.
Two weeks after the anti-Semitic attack that killed 15 people, Minns said it would be a “disaster” if the Al Madina Dawah Center in Sydney’s south-west were to reopen.
Wissam Haddad had delivered numerous harsh sermons to dozens of Muslim men at the Al Madina Dawah Center since April 2021.
Three from Haddad in late 2023 contained “wildly offensive” allegations based on the race or ethnicity of the Australian Jewish community. the federal court ruled in July.
As he returned to the scene of the Bondi massacre on Sunday, Minns told reporters: “The verdict has been passed on this place of worship and all other places of worship where preachers are present who are responsible for racism in our community.”
“Anyone who has preached hatred or sown hatred in the hearts of anyone in our community should have their places of worship closed as soon as possible.
“The government will take action to ensure we are in a position to disconnect the utilities, water and electricity of anyone deemed to be using their premises without the lawful permission of the council or the New South Wales government.”
It was more than Haddad’s words that led to the center’s demise. The Canterbury-Bankstown City Council said on Tuesday it was operating from a decades-old building that should never be used as a religious centre.
The building, on Kitchener Parade in Bankstown, was only recently approved to operate as a medical centre.
Changing the use to a place of worship or place of worship would require development consent, which has not been applied for, the council said.
“We have issued cease and desist notices, which will take effect immediately. There are no compromises and we will take further action if they do not comply,” a council spokesperson said.
The center said the closure was not permanent. “This pause is purely to ensure full compliance with the council’s requirements and to obtain the necessary approvals,” it said in a statement on Tuesday.
‘Thumb your nose at the terrorists’
While in Bondi on Sunday, Minns also called on Sydney residents to come out in droves to support local businesses and celebrate the New Year.
“Because of the strange ideology of some of these terrorists, they want us to curl up in a ball and not have fun with our family and friends during this Christmas season,” he said after visiting a local cafe.
“So I’m calling on the people of Sydney to come out, do what you normally would do: turn your nose up at the terrorists.”
Police will carry long-arm firearms on New Year’s Eve as the city continues with the traditional fireworks display.
“That will be confronting for some people,” Minns acknowledged.
“I’ve talked to a lot of parents, and they would feel much more comfortable if there was a large police presence. And that includes the firepower needed to confront rogue terrorists on a bridge in Bondi, should those circumstances repeat themselves.”
Minns revealed that discussions were underway about the possible use of the military to protect Jewish institutions, but said he did not want to highlight the details.
“There’s a big challenge ahead of us to rebuild Jewish life in Sydney, so I’m not going to take anything off the table,” he said.
He also signaled that the Community Security Group, which is run by volunteers and support staff, may be armed to have a visible presence at synagogues, Jewish events and institutions.
“That is a step that we have not taken in the past, but the truth is that when it comes to ensuring that the community, the Jewish community in this case, feels safe within their own community when community events are taking place, we have to be able to show and demonstrate that there will be safety to deal with the threat,” he said.
“That’s one of the things we’re actively looking at, as well as changes to security protocol for future events in Sydney,” he added.
Referring to the Bondi shooting, he said: While police were on the scene, [it was] clearly, clearly not enough to meet the threat, as history has tragically shown.”
Minns rejects criticism of the protest ban
Minns said he would have more say on a possible extension of the appointment, which could last up to three months.
He rejected criticism from former Supreme Court judge Anthony Whealy, who said anti-Semitism risked worsening because protests provided a pressure valve for people opposed to Israel’s war in Gaza.
“I think it actually adds to the slippery slope of inflammatory rhetoric, which is increasing the more it becomes prevalent,” the Prime Minister said.
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