Solidarity was shown to former SBS journalist Mary Kostakidis on July 29, who is facing the Federal Court of Australia in a case brought by Alon Cassuto, chief executive of the Zionist Federation of Australia (ZFA).
The ZFA is attempting to muzzle Kostakidis for her pro-Palestine stance.
The “Stand with Mary” event was organised by the Australian Friends of Palestine Association (AFOPA). Unionists, AFOPA activists, Socialist Alliance members and others attended.
Kostakidis’ lawyers were seeking to have the ZFA case struck out. If it succeeds it will have a chilling effect on any criticism of the Israeli government. However, Justice Stephen McDonald reserved his decision.
AFOPA Chairperson, Christa Christaki, said she was pleased to see so many of pro-Palestine activists attend.
If the government implements the Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism’s plan against antisemitism and organisations adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition, vexatious litigation, such as the one being brought against Kostakidis, will gain unwarranted legitimacy.
This is in spite of the recent Federal Court ruling, which found that criticism of Zionism and the state of Israel are not antisemitic.