How civilization dies: Australian council bans new synagogue for fear of Islamic terror

This is how the terrorists win, and civilization dies.

From Australia, Bondi synagogue ban over terrorism risk leaves Jewish community shocked and furious:

A LOCAL council has banned the construction of a synagogue in Bondi because it could be a terrorist target, in a shock move that religious leaders say has caved in to Islamic extremism and created a dangerous precedent.The decision, which has rocked the longstanding Jewish community in the iconic suburb, was upheld in court this week as the nation reeled from the alleged airline terror threat and debate raged over increased security measures at airports and other public places.The Land and Environment Court backed the decision by Waverley Council to prohibit the construction of the synagogue in Wellington St, Bondi — just a few hundred metres from Australia’s most famous beach — because it was too much of a security risk for users and local residents.Jewish leaders are shocked the decision appears to suggest they cannot freely practice their religion because they are the target of hate by Islamist extremists — and that the council has used their own risk assessment of the threat posed by IS against it….Ironically, the council and the Land and Environment Court appeared to use the proposal’s own risk assessment and security measures in the proposed design — including using setback buildings and blast walls — as evidence the site was too much of a security risk.Yet in a classic catch-22, the council also said if the design was changed to boost security this would be unacceptable because it would be too unsightly.

The Australian further reports:

Waverley Council objected to large blast-walls proposed for the synagogue because of their visual impact, but also used the measures drawn up by those planning to build the synagogue to argue that if such security was required people moving around the place of worship could be at risk.“The stated need for protective walls raises concern as to the safety and security of people outside but near the synagogue,” the council argued.The court heard “strong anti-Semitic undertones pervade much of ISIS’s online presence and literature” had “manifested itself in both attacks and prevented attacks that have been aimed at Jewish communities in various parts of the world”.

The Bondi beach area of Sydney has experienced anti-Semitic attacks, as we covered in 2014, Anti-Semitic attack on Sydney school bus, threaten to cut Jewish children’s throats.

That was not the only incident:

[Featured Image: Artists rendering of proposed Bondi Synagogue, via The Telegraph)

Tags: Antisemitism, Australia, ISIS, Terrorism

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