Robert Bandanza
February 4th, 2008, 01:32 PM
The Prime Minister's planned future summit has hit its first hurdle, with the Jewish community annoyed by the timing of the meeting.
Jewish leaders yesterday wrote to Mr Rudd to express their disappointment that the summit had been scheduled for the same weekend as passover, among the most important events on the Jewish calendar.
Fairfax Media reported that the Executive Council of the Australian Jewry wrote to the Prime Minister yesterday, labeling the timing of the summit as "most unfortunate".
"I don't know who is going to be invited but if anyone of the Jewish faith is invited then the Saturday night and probably the Sunday too are going to be impossible for most Jews to attend regardless of their degree of religiosity," Council President Robert Goot said.
However the Government said that it was holding fast on the date, saying despite its support for the Jewish community, most weekends were of significance to many people, and the date would not be changed.
"Unfortunately, on almost every weekend that is still available there is an event of some significance," the PM's spokesman said last night.
"The Government will be putting in place special arrangements to ensure members of the Jewish community , and others who are invited but can't attend, can contribute in a meaningful and appropriate way."
The Prime Minister at the weekend announced plans for the Australia 2020 summit to be held in April, with the forum designed to bring together 1000 of Australia's best and brightest to consider plans and policy for the future of the nation.
A committee will select the 1000 attendees to descend on Canberra, where they will discuss areas of interest including Broadband and the Digital Economy, Indigenous disadvantage and Housing.
http://www.scopical.com.au/articles/Politics/2468/PM's-Australia-Summit-hits-Jewish-hurdle (http://www.scopical.com.au/articles/Politics/2468/PM%27s-Australia-Summit-hits-Jewish-hurdle)
Jewish leaders yesterday wrote to Mr Rudd to express their disappointment that the summit had been scheduled for the same weekend as passover, among the most important events on the Jewish calendar.
Fairfax Media reported that the Executive Council of the Australian Jewry wrote to the Prime Minister yesterday, labeling the timing of the summit as "most unfortunate".
"I don't know who is going to be invited but if anyone of the Jewish faith is invited then the Saturday night and probably the Sunday too are going to be impossible for most Jews to attend regardless of their degree of religiosity," Council President Robert Goot said.
However the Government said that it was holding fast on the date, saying despite its support for the Jewish community, most weekends were of significance to many people, and the date would not be changed.
"Unfortunately, on almost every weekend that is still available there is an event of some significance," the PM's spokesman said last night.
"The Government will be putting in place special arrangements to ensure members of the Jewish community , and others who are invited but can't attend, can contribute in a meaningful and appropriate way."
The Prime Minister at the weekend announced plans for the Australia 2020 summit to be held in April, with the forum designed to bring together 1000 of Australia's best and brightest to consider plans and policy for the future of the nation.
A committee will select the 1000 attendees to descend on Canberra, where they will discuss areas of interest including Broadband and the Digital Economy, Indigenous disadvantage and Housing.
http://www.scopical.com.au/articles/Politics/2468/PM's-Australia-Summit-hits-Jewish-hurdle (http://www.scopical.com.au/articles/Politics/2468/PM%27s-Australia-Summit-hits-Jewish-hurdle)