Antisemitism in Australia
Real antisemitism harms Jews. Political misuse of antisemitism claims harms justice.
Antisemitism is real and Jewish people deserve safety. But genuine concerns are being manipulated by the right wing pro-Israel lobby to silence criticism of Israel’s genocide in Gaza and annexation of the West Bank. This harms everyone: it diminishes real antisemitism and stifles pro-Palestinian advocacy.
Scroll down to see some recent articles, posts and media releases that cover antisemitism in Australia.
Max Kaiser speaks to SMH responding to ECAJ’s unreliable data on antisemitism rates
Max Kaiser recently spoke to Sydney Morning Herald, responding to ECAJ’s unreliable data on antisemitism rates. Click here to read the full article (requires subscription).
Jewish Council of Australia to speak at Senate inquiry today opposing Coalition’s divisive antisemitism Bill
[Image credit] Sarah Schwartz and Dr Elizabeth Strakosch from the Jewish Council of Australia will speak today at 10.15 am at the Senate inquiry into the Coalition’s Commission of Inquiry into Antisemitism at Australian Universities Bill (2024). They will warn that the proposed legislation could be used to justify policies which stifle free speech and…
Max Kaiser piece in Meanjin: “Jews, antisemitism and power in Australia”
Max Kaiser has recently had a piece published in Meanjin titled “Jews, antisemitism and power in Australia.” An excerpt from the start of the piece: In the midst of Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza, I am highly aware that Jews in Australian society have never been so visible, and that the question of antisemitism has…
Jewish Council of Australia opposes Coalition’s antisemitism Bill, citing political agenda to stifle free speech on Palestine
[Image credit] The Jewish Council of Australia has today expressed its opposition to the Coalition’s Commission of Inquiry into Antisemitism at Australian Universities Bill (2024), warning that the proposed legislation could be used to justify policies which stifle free speech and academic freedom. In a submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee,…
Appointment of Israel lobbyist as antisemitism envoy will only drive further division
[Image credit] The Jewish Council is concerned at yesterday’s report of the government’s impending appointment of a pro-Israel advocate as a special envoy on antisemitism. The treatment of antisemitism as distinct from other forms of racism undermines the important work being done across racial lines to address all forms of racism. To single out antisemitism,…
Ohad Kozminsky article in Overland about “the charge of antisemitism as a weapon”
Executive Member Ohad Kozminsky has recently had article published in Overland titled “The Oldest Disease”: the charge of antisemitism as a weapon. Click here to read the article.
Condemning Islamophobia and Antisemitism surrounding the tragic Bondi attack
The Jewish Council of Australia extends its deepest condolences to the victims, their families and loved ones in the wake of the knife attack at the Westfield Bondi Junction shopping centre in Sydney’s east where six people were killed and at least 12 people injured. The Jewish Council of Australia expresses concern at the troubling…
Na’ama Carlin and Elizabeth Strakosch piece in Crikey: “Never Again is Now rallies against antisemitism are not what they seem”
Executive and advisory committee members Na’ama Carlin and Elizabeth Strakosch have recently had a piece published in Crikey titled “Never Again is Now rallies against antisemitism are not what they seem”. An excerpt from the opening of the piece: Far from fighting racism, groups like the Never Again is Now movement intentionally conflate antisemitism with…
Max Kaiser speaks to The Guardian about the relationship between fighting antisemitism and the larger fight against racism
Max Kaiser recently spoke to The Guardian for a piece titled “Scott Morrison accuses UN of antisemitism and applying double standards against Israel.” An excerpt of Max’s comments as quoted in the article: It does not assist the fight against racism to treat antisemitism as different from other forms of racism and to conflate antisemitism…
Sydney rally: A conflation of antisemitism with criticism of Israel
[Image credit] The Jewish Council of Australia is concerned about a pro-Israel rally, which took place over the weekend in Sydney, framed under the misleading banner of fighting antisemitism, and organised by the group ‘Never Again is Now’. The Council is concerned that some Jewish representative bodies supported this rally, which exploited Jewish fear about…
Jewish Council of Australia launches to provide expert voice on antisemitism and racism in Australia
In response to the pressing need for an independent expert body to address antisemitism and racism in Australia, a dynamic coalition of Jewish scholars, historians, human rights lawyers, and writers has joined together to establish the Jewish Council of Australia. The Council was formed to fill a void in Australia of an independent expert Jewish…
