by Henry Benjamin | JWire.com.au | September 28, 2011
Fiona Byrne, the Marrickville Greens mayor who led the Boycott, Sanctions and Divestment drive against Israeli products being sold in the Sydney municipality is no longer wearing the ceremonial chain of office.
Morris Hanna (Pictured), an independent who fought against the BDS scheme, is the Sydney inner suburbs’ new mayor. The vote was split 4-4 in the contest between Hanna and Greens’ candidate Peter Olive with the new Marrickville mayor being named after his name was drawn from a hat.
He told J-Wire: “Marrickville Council will now get back to normal business. From now on it’s all about local government dealing with local issues. Most of the residents were against the BDS. Those pushing for BDS didn’t have any consultations with them. International politics do not concern us.”
NSW Parliamentary Friends of Israel deputy chair and State Labor MP, Mr Walt Secord today welcomed the decision by Greens Councillor and failed State election candidate Fiona Byrne to resign as Mayor for Marrickville Council.
He told J-Wire: “Let’s hope the resignation of Clr Byrne closes the chapter on the sorry saga of the Marrickville BDS.
Fiona Byrne led the global boycott, divestment and sanctions [BDS] campaign against Israel; thankfully, her divisive politics were soundly rejected at the State election.
There is no other way to describe the events at Marrickville Council other than as illogical and foolish. But BDS and Marrickville Council should serve as a wake-up call to all of us who support Israel and a tolerant and diverse society. We cannot assume that common sense will prevail.
I applaud comments this morning by new Mayor Morris Hanna who said he was going to concentrate on traditional local government activity like rubbish, recycling and parks and gardens rather than targeting Israel.”
Fiona Byrne’s term as mayor was over. She remains a Marrickville councillor.
Source: http://www.jwire.com.au/news/new-mayor-for-marrickville/19403
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