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
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.
Sarah Schwartz article in The Politics on the Coalition’s use of Jews as political footballs
Sarah Schwartz has recently had an article published in The Politics titled “Political opportunism in full flight”. Click here to read the article.
Sarah Schwartz talks to Studio 10’s Narelda Jacobs about the launch of the Council
Sarah Schwartz recently spoke to Studio 10’s Narelda Jacobs about the launch of the Council, the failure of Jewish representative bodies to recognise the diverse Jewish views on Israel’s military actions in Gaza and the conflation of legitimate criticism of Israel with antisemitism. Click here to watch the segment on Instagram.
Max Kaiser speaks to AFR about the “River to the Sea” slogan
Max Kaiser recently spoke to Australian Financial Review for an article titled ‘River to the Sea’ explained in one map and two charts. Click here to read the article (requires AFR subscription).
Rafah massacre demonstrates urgent need to cut ties and sanction Israel
[Image credit] The Jewish Council of Australia renews our calls for the Albanese Government to use all possible diplomatic pressure to stop Israel committing the crime of genocide. Yesterday, an Israeli airstrike killed at least 45 people who were living in tents in the declared safe-zone of Rafah. The act is likely in breach of…
Jewish Council of Australia Condemns Antisemitic Graffiti at Mount Scopus College
The Jewish Council of Australia strongly condemns the antisemitic vandalism that defiled the front fence of Mount Scopus Memorial College’s Burwood campus on Saturday. This reprehensible act of vandalism is an attack not only on the school but on Jewish communities more broadly. Antisemitism, in all its forms, is always unacceptable and should have no…
Advisory Committee member Professor Andrea Durbach in conversation: ‘Censorship and Dissent: Human rights law in public arts institutions—does it exist?’
Advisory Committee member Professor Andrea Durbach recently participated in a panel discussion as part of the Forms of Censorship exhibition at The Cross Arts Project. Click here to listen to a recording of the event, which also included Dr Randa Abdel Fattah (Palestinian Australian sociologist and author), Dr Paula Abood (writer, educator, community cultural organiser),…
Sarah Schwartz speaks to 10 News about the “Never Again Is Now” rally
Sarah Schwartz has recently spoken to 10 News about the “Never Again Is Now” rally. Click here to watch the segment on X (Twitter).
