A controversial forum linked to the slogan “Globalise the Intifada” will proceed in Sydney on Tuesday night after organisers shifted the event to a new location.
The gathering was due to be held in a City of Sydney venue on Monday before it was cancelled by the council over concerns regarding community impact.
Sydney Mayor Clover Moore pulled the pin on the controversial event, which was set to take place in a government building, blaming the media and its “discourse of division” for stopping the event.
The event was advertised as “why it’s right to say: globalise the Intifada”.
Activist group Stop The War On Palestine confirmed the event would now take place outdoors at Charles Kernan Reserve in Darlington, near Redfern Station.
The forum is scheduled to begin at 6pm.
“Venue cancelled but forum is going ahead,” the group said in an Instagram post.
Organisers pushed back on the council’s decision, arguing their event does not pose a threat to public safety.
“We reject the implication … that our meeting risks public safety and respect for members of the community,” the group said.
They also criticised media coverage of the event and its messaging.
Organisers rejected the characterisation that the event is linked to violence against Jewish people.
They said the phrase has been misunderstood, describing it as “a call to end the violence of Israel’s occupation” rather than an endorsement of harm.
The group also took aim at NSW Premier Chris Minns, who has previously condemned the slogan.
They labelled his position a “baseless smear”.
Due to “grave concerns” from the Jewish community and mounting backlash from community leaders, as well as former prime minister Tony Abbott, the City of Sydney withdrew its venue booking.
They cited concerns that the event could “contribute to hostility and fear” within the community.
Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip said it was “entirely appropriate” that the City of Sydney Council had refused to provide a venue for the event.
“The mayor’s decision is the right one, particularly in light of further inflammatory and dangerous social media activity today from one of the event’s scheduled speakers,” he said.
“The phrase “Globalise the Intifada” has been recognised by a NSW Parliamentary Inquiry as a call to violence against Jewish Australians. It essentially means kill or maim a Jew wherever you find one.”
In a statement on Monday, Ms Moore said her priority was to work to ensure everyone “feels welcome” in Sydney.