Australian Jews angry: elections on Yom Kippur

General elections in Australia will take place on 14th September, Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced tonight (Wednesday). The announcement shocked the Jewish community, as the day of the election there falls on the Day of Atonement.

According to the newspaper "The Australian", the Liberal Party Malcolm Tambell was quick to express disappointment in the collision between the election and the Day of Atonement: "This is the most important and holy day in the Jewish calendar."

Australian Prime Minister Gillard responded to the complaints against the date and explained that she had no choice but to hold the elections at this time, because other appropriate dates in September are already taken - among other things - by the final events of the Australian Football League.

"I certainly understand the importance of this day for the Jewish community," said Gillard, "but there will be many of my Jewish friends in Melbourne who will understand the importance of the League's final day of the AFL". Gillard said that anyone who could not vote on Election Day itself should vote early as is custom in Australia.

Gillard's explanations did not help, one of the Labor Party members, Michael Danby, has already announced that he would boycott the elections due to their conflict with Yom Kippur. He said that the ruling party should care for the 107 thousand Jews, yet retreated and added: "Frankly, it would not be a big deal for us because all elections take place on Saturday."

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!