I should stop saying I am appalled by every new horror that arises in public life; there are so many of them that I am becoming appalled-out. But I got a renewed spark of outrage a few days ago when I read that Dr Peter Abelson, the Mayor of Mosman in Sydney, has decided to boycott the Great Synagogue Law Service, held to mark the beginning of the new legal year. His Worship was quite clear in his reasons:

I should express my deep personal concern about the gross and illegal occupation of the West Bank which creates intense international division and bitterness and, unresolved, will cause endless terrorism across the globe, including here.

Usually, when I see this sort of nonsense about boycotts and their ilk, I just sulk and grind my teeth for a few days and perhaps write a letter to the editor. But this time it was different. After all, it came at the same time as the appalling murder of four Israeli soldiers, the wicked resolution against Israel at the UN, Obama’s abandonment of Israel and Julie Bishop’s limp and equivocal response. Moreover, the Mayor’s statement was more than the usual silliness on this subject.

The occupation of the West Bank is not illegal and to suggest that terrorism is caused by Israel building blocks of flats on the West Bank is ludicrous. And if terrorists think anything about Palestine, it would be that they do not want a new, unstable Palestinian state on their doorstep. Nevertheless, we have in Dr Abelson yet another dreamy advocate for Palestine advancing his case by classic anti-Semitism: boycotting a synagogue.

So I told myself it was about time we all say where we stand on this issue and that I should impose my own boycott of the boycott and the other outrages that have come with it. Even if no-one else hears about it, at least I will know that I took a stand. So I decided that today would be a Day of Action to demonstrate publicly that I am on the anti-boycott, pro-Israel and pro-Jewish side. Why can’t we say it, just like that, if we believe it? I started the Day of Action at Solly Lew’s, the pharmacist in St Kilda and bought enough supplies to keep me going till Judgment Day. Then it was off to the Jewish Museum, also in St Kilda, which naturally has a graphic emphasis on the Holocaust, but also traces the history of the Jewish people in Australia in every aspect of life. I was in luck, and had a tour of the nearby synagogue thrown in and some advice on the best Jewish restaurants in Melbourne. Then into the city to have coffee and chocolate at Brenner’s, which was blockaded a few years ago by the loopy left, but is still standing and apparently doing well. Brenner’s sin: supplying chocolate to the Israeli army! The IDF should make this its new motto: death by chocolate! Then back to St Kilda and the famous Glick’s, Australia’s best kosher baker, where I rejected the bagels temptation and settled for the sliced rye. I must have been getting into the swing of it by now, as I fell into a friendly conversation with a rabbinical student who asked me if I were Jewish! In turn I asked him if he would become a rabbi in due course: ‘God willing.’ I rounded off this part of the day by buying the Jewish News and catching up with the news, unfortunately including the sad death of Sir Zelman and Lady Cowen’s son, Ben, brother of the rabbi. Finally, I have just spent the evening at a scrumptious Jewish restaurant in Caulfield, the Laffa Bar. All in all, a little foray, but at least I have done something.

Speaking of terrorists, an interesting event occurred in Melbourne a few days ago. For the second time in a few months, my local jewelry shop was robbed, it seems by the same armed gang, smashing their way in, terrorising the staff and hitting the manager with the butt of a firearm. The brigands were given that delightful description now used by the police and media; ‘of African appearance.’ The police gave chase, but gave up because it was dangerous. They also will not round up the usual suspects because they will be accused of racial profiling and have already paid out damages to others who were ‘of African appearance.’ We must remind the UN that our refugee policy has been such a great success.

Those who take an interest in the ABC realize that some of the issues with which it is beset come, so it is said, from the Board of Directors not acting with the responsibility you would expect from a board of directors. This is despite the fact that its Act of Parliament specifically sets out the Board’s powers and duties, particularly ‘to maintain the independence and integrity of the Corporation.’

Clearly, the enthusiasm of the Board in carrying out its duties is affected by the example set and the stimulus given by the Chairman of the Board (or, as the government insists on calling him or her, ‘the Chairperson’). Well, if you share that view, now is the time to do something about it. The position of Chair is becoming vacant and processes are underway to fill it. I am on the Nominations Panel that makes recommendations to the government, which it may or may not follow. But at least it is a process that enables anyone to apply and be considered. Consider applying yourself or suggesting the position to anyone with the standing and ability to perform it well. The advertisement for the position is at: https://www.communications.gov.au/documents/appointment-australian-broadcasting-corporation-abc-board-position-description-chairperson.

Applications close on Friday 27 January 2017. Pay (part-time) is $167,900p.a.