Jewish Council of Australia news & media
We aim to work with media personnel, politicians, and policymakers to provide expert Jewish voices on issues of antisemitism in Australia
Sarah Schwartz speaks to The Guardian about the campaign demanding the resignation of University of Sydney vice-chancellor
Sarah Schwartz recently spoke to The Guardian for a piece titled “Campaign demanding University of Sydney vice-chancellor resigns is ‘dangerous’, Jewish Council warns.” An excerpt from her comments as published in the article: This campaign against him is aimed at sending a clear warning to other universities to not allow Palestinian solidarity, discourse, or events…
Louise Adler op-ed in SMH: “These are the things I’ve learnt you can’t ask about Israel”
Advisory Committee member Louise Adler AM has recently had an op-ed published in SMH titled “These are the things I’ve learnt you can’t ask about Israel.” Click here to read the piece (requires SMH subscription).
Sarah Schwartz and Elizabeth Strakosch appear before the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee
Sarah Schwartz and Elizabeth Strakosch recently appeared before the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee about the Antisemitism at Australian Universities Bill 2024 #2. Click here to view the committee proceedings on the Australian Parliament House website. Sarah and Elizabeth’s testimony starts at approximately [10:21:50]. There is also some analysis of the proceedings and…
Jewish Council quoted in SBS, SMH and The Guardian about Australia’s abstention from recent UN vote
Max Kaiser was recently quoted in SBS for a piece titled “Penny Wong voices support for Palestinian self-determination despite abstaining on UN vote” and The Guardian for a piece titled “Albanese government called ‘gutless’ after sitting out UN vote on Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories.” An excerpt of his comments as published in these article:…
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…
Jewish Council disappointed at Australia’s UN abstention, calls for strong international action to prevent Israeli war crimes
[Image credit] The Jewish Council of Australia is deeply disappointed at Australia’s abstention from a critical United Nations General Assembly resolution calling on Israel to end its occupation of the Palestinian territories within 12 months. The resolution passed with 124 votes in favour, highlighting global frustration with Israel’s actions. Australia’s abstention does not align with…
International Day of Peace Lecture featuring Louise Adler
[Image credit] Advisory Committee member Louise Adler AM is amongst the speakers for the International Day of Peace Lecture, an upcoming event for the United Nations Association of Australia. The event will be held on 21st September at 6pm in St John’s Cathedral in Brisbane. This is a free event but registration is required. Click…
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…
Uniting against hate: Jewish Council stands with refugees facing Neo-Nazi intimidation
The Jewish Council of Australia strongly condemns the recent spate of attacks by neo-Nazis against refugees protesting for permanent visas. Last week, a masked group of men marched through the streets of Adelaide brandishing a neo-Nazi flag in a blatant attempt to intimidate a group of refugees who have been protesting for permanent safety. The…
Jewish Council says Australia must combine support for UK arms controls with action
[Image credit] The Jewish Council of Australia welcomes Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s support for the decision by the United Kingdom to suspend 30 arms export licenses to Israel. We also welcome the Foreign Minister’s statement that Australia is working with allies to place pressure on Israel to stop its human rights abuses. In order for…
Solidarity and the right to protest: student encampments for Gaza
The Jewish Council’s Dr Liz Strakosch is on this upcoming panel, which discusses the global phenomenon of student solidarity encampments for Gaza. Thursday 12 September, 6pm, Sydney. Click here for more info or to book tickets.
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,…
Max Kaiser speaks to Times of Israel about the growing number of Jewish people who don’t align with Israel
Max Kaiser recently spoke with The Times of Israel about the growing number of Jewish people who don’t align with Israel: “More and more Jews see the fight against antisemitism as being part of a more general fight against racism and that there is real value in forming multicultural, interfaith coalitions to do this. This…
Joint statement with the Australian Muslim Advocacy Network calling out dehumanising material
The Council has released a joint statement with the Australian Muslim Advocacy Network calling out dehumanising material. Click here to read the statement on Instagram.
Advisory Board member Louise Adler speaks on the ABC about artists’ right to free speech and expression
The ABC’s description of the Radio National segment is below: Since the war in Gaza broke out there has been a crisis of censorship in the arts sector around the world, in what the not-for-profit group Freemuse is calling a most alarming moment for freedom of expression. Here in Australia pianist Jayson Gillham had his…
Michael West Media reports on our condemnation of the targeted campaign to sack a Jewish support worker for her Palestine solidarity
As stated by Max Kaiser, “Discriminating against an employee for their support of the Palestinian cause sets a dangerous precedent. Unfortunately, we have seen this sort of censorship play out all too regularly, particularly against Palestinians and people of colour.” Click here to read the full article.
Max Kaiser speaks to Australian Financial Review about NYT reporting of the leaked WhatsApp chat
Max Kaiser recently spoke to the Australian Financial Review about the recent NYT reporting of the leaked WhatsApp chat, where Australian pro-Israeli creatives organised against journalists, poets, and other writers who spoke out against Israel’s war in Gaza: “there are ultimately bigger issues at play than what happened inside this WhatsApp group, in terms of…
Crikey and BBC report on the Council’s strong stance against Foxtel boss Patrick Delaney
Both Crikey and the BBC reported the Council’s strong stance against Foxtel boss Patrick Delaney, who was photographed doing a Sig Heil salute. As stated by our co-Executive Officer Sarah Schwartz, Delany’s salute is “deeply concerning” and “equally [concerning] is that he operates in a media industry where he felt this was somehow okay. It…
Max Kaiser article in Crikey about the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s cancellation of pianist Jayson Gillham’s show
Max Kaister has an article in Crikey about the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s cancellation of pianist Jayson Gillham’s show, after he dedicated a piece to the murdered journalists in Gaza. Click here to read the article.
Jewish Council condemns Peter Dutton and Dave Sharma for stoking racism in comments on Palestinians fleeing genocide
[Image credit] Today, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton told Sky News that no Palestinians from Gaza should be entering Australia and that a visa scheme for Palestinians fleeing Gaza would put Australia’s national security at risk. These comments were made days after Liberal Party Senator Dave Sharma criticised the government, suggesting that Palestinians entering Australia “might…
