14/11/2025
THE DLP CONTINUES TO CONDEMN ANTI-SEMITISM – A POLICY SO RELEVANT TODAY
During its 1964 Federal Conference, the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) passed a motion to declare itself unreservedly against anti-Semitism. It specifically condemned its manifestations in Australia and the communist Soviet Union. The motion was not opposed and was carried unanimously
Speakers pointed out that many migrants had come to our shores in search of material security and refuge from war and political, racial and religious persecution. They reminded the conference attendees that, true to old Labor tradition, the D.L.P. had always stressed in all its of messages to new settlers, that it was diametrically opposed to all forms of discrimination and that it should therefore condemn anti-Semitism, which was described as a cancer of heart and mind.
Manifestations of anti-Semitism in Australia were listed such as swastikas on walls and footpaths, and on cars outside Synagogues, broken windows in Jewish offices, etc.
The greatest impact on this motion was achieved when, a selection of N**i literature, obtainable in Australia, both locally produced and imported, were presented to the conference delegates and some of the heading were read out. Turning to anti-Semitism in the Communist Soviet Union, speakers extensively quoted extracts from anti-Jewish articles in Communist newspapers and periodicals – all of which visibly shocked and disgusted the party delegates.
In light of the dramatic rise in anti-Semitism in Australia in the last few years the decision of the 1964 conference to declare itself UNRESERVEDLY AGAINST ANTI-SEMITISM (this is still DLP policy) remains so relevant.
