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
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…
Neo-Nazi march in Brisbane shows need for stronger efforts against racism, xenophobia and anti-immigrant rhetoric
[Image credit] We are concerned about reports today of neo-Nazis from the National Socialist Network dressed in black and marching in Brisbane CBD under the white supremacist banner of ‘Free England’. This event cannot be taken in isolation. Two weeks ago, the same group held a Trump inspired anti-immigration rally outside Federation Square in Melbourne…
Albanese Government must meaningfully respond to International Court of Justice advisory opinion on illegal occupation of Palestinian territories
The Jewish Council of Australia calls on the Albanese Government to take swift material action in response to the International Court of Justice’s historic advisory opinion calling for Israel to immediately halt illegal settlement activity in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The Court called on the State of Israel to leave the Occupied Palestinian Territories “as…
The Jewish Council welcomes three prominent advisory committee members
The Jewish Council has welcomed three new advisory committee members: Dr Rhonda Galbally AC served as Commissioner for the Disability Royal Commission, and has been a CEO, Chair and board member for over thirty years, across business, the public sector and philanthropy. Professor Clare Wright OAM is an award-winning historian, author, broadcaster and public commentator…
Leia Greenslade article in Pearls and Irritations: ‘Defending dissent in the Jewish community’
Advisory Commitee member Linda Briskman has recently had an article published in Pearls and Irritations titled “Defending dissent in the Jewish community” An excerpt from the start of the article: The recent report by the Community Security Group (CSG) detailing 91 Jewish community incidents on university campuses until May 31, 2024, warrants a closer examination, particularly considering…
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,…
Sarah Schwartz article in The Politics on the personal cost of speaking out about Gaza’s plight
Sarah Schwartz has recently had an article published in The Politics titled “Matters of conscience”. Click here to read the article.
Universities must end disciplinary measures against anti-war students
[Image credit] The Jewish Council of Australia is concerned that students across Australia, including at Deakin University, Melbourne University, Monash University and La Trobe University, have been sent misconduct notices for their involvement in anti-war protests. Israel has killed more than 37,000 Palestinians in Gaza in the last 9 months. Evidence continues to come to…
Jewish Council’s criticism of far-right Israeli politician Moshe Feiglin speaking at Australian event covered by Al Jazeera, The Age and Pearls & Irritations
There have been several recent articles covering the Australian Jewish Association’s promotion of Moshe Feiglin as a speaker at an Australian Zoom event. Below is some coverage where the Jewish Council has spoken to or been quoted by media outlets:
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.
Sarah Schwartz article in The Politics on the link between pro-Israel lobby groups and far-right extremists
Sarah Schwartz has recently had an article published in The Politics titled “Strange bedfellows”. Click here to read the article.
Linda Briskman article in Pearls and Irritations: ‘Who can make the call on anti-semitism?’
Advisory Commitee member Linda Briskman has recently had an article published in Pearls and Irritations titled “Who can make the call on anti-semitism?” An excerpt from the start of the article: The Holocaust was racist genocide of an unprecedented scale of industrial organisation. The ensuing term Never Again applies to all humankind and resonates with…
Jewish Council to give evidence to Senate inquiry into right wing extremism
The Jewish Council of Australia will today give evidence to the Senate’s Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee inquiry into right wing extremist movements in Australia. The Jewish Council is an independent expert Jewish voice opposing antisemitism and racism. Formed in response to rising antisemitism and racism, and Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza, the Council…
Sarah Schwartz appears on ABC Radio National to discuss the recent rise in community tensions
Sarah Schwartz recently appeared on ABC Radio National to discuss the recent rise in community tensions and the rallies over the weekend. Click here to listen to the segment on the ABC website.
