During a recent Federal Court case, lawyers representing the Executive Council of Australian Jewry argued that speeches delivered by Islamic preacher Wissam Haddad in Western Sydney were in violation of the Racial Discrimination Act. The lectures, which took place at the Al Madina Dawah Centre in Bankstown, were described as 'humiliating' and 'offensive' to Jews.

Peter Braham SC, representing the council, stated that the speeches aimed to portray negative characteristics of Jewish people and encouraged the audience to hold those views. He emphasized that the intent was to denigrate all Jewish people, including Australian Jews, by perpetuating offensive stereotypes about them.

Mr. Haddad, on the other hand, denied breaching anti-discrimination laws and argued that his speeches were based on religious texts. His legal team contended that the content was directed only at practicing Muslims and that the venue, Al Madina Dawah Centre, was not a public place accessible to all.

Andrew Boe, counsel for Mr. Haddad, stressed the importance of freedom of speech and religion in a democratic society. He argued that the court should take a balanced approach in applying the Racial Discrimination Act, maintaining the delicate equilibrium between prohibiting harmful behavior and preserving essential freedoms.

The Executive Council of Australian Jewry requested the court to find a contravention of the law and remove online videos of the speeches. They also sought an order preventing Mr. Haddad and the center from engaging in similar conduct in the future.

Witnesses, including the council's co-chief executive officer, Peter Wertheim, testified that the language used in the speeches was dehumanizing and included derogatory generalizations. Mr. Wertheim acknowledged the importance of diverse beliefs and ideas in Australian society but cautioned against crossing the boundary into vilification.