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 synagogue arson attack
Executive Officer Sarah Schwartz recently spoke to The Guardian for a story titled Tony Burke says Melbourne synagogue fire an ‘attack on Australia’ as NSW man charged over incident. An excerpt from her comments: These responses fuel division. We urge politicians not to engage in kneejerk responses, and to instead support grassroots efforts between communities…
Linda Briskman piece in Pearls and Irritations: “Don’t talk or write about Palestine. It’s a career killer”
Advisory Committee member Linda Briskman has a piece out in Pearls and Irritations titled Don’t talk or write about Palestine. It’s a career killer. A quote from the piece’s opening: The new McCarthyism sweeps through the university sector at a terrifying pace. At the core is conflation of antisemitism with criticism of Israel, spurred on…
Jewish Council of Australia condemns FM Wong’s endorsement of illegal US attack
The Jewish Council of Australia condemns Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s endorsement of the U.S. military strike on Iranian nuclear targets — an illegal act of aggression that threatens to escalate a dangerous regional conflict and lead to more death and suffering. Civilians in Iran and Israel are already paying the horrific price of flagrant breaches…
Jewish Council condemns Israel’s ongoing attacks on starving Gazans
In the midst of escalating bombing by Israel and Iran, and as the region braces for a wider devastating conflict, yesterday was the deadliest day for Palestinians brazenly killed at aid sites in Gaza. Israeli forces have killed at least 397 Palestinian civilians in Gaza and injured over 3,000 at or near food distribution sites since late…
Israel’s bombing of Iran places entire region in danger
Israel has launched a major wave of strikes against Iranian military and nuclear sites in a major escalation against Tehran. Israeli Prime Minister Netenyahu has said that the strikes will continue as long as necessary. Israel’s actions, tacitly backed by the US, place the entire Middle East region in danger. Right now we are thinking about the many Australians who…
Our pressure on Universities is working – what you can do today!
Dear friends and supporters, We’re writing with an important update on our campaign to stop the adoption of a dangerous definition of antisemitism across Australian universities. Since launching this campaign, we’ve written to all 39 Universities, and have been meeting with Vice Chancellors around Australia, Universities Australia (UA), TEQSA, the National Student Ombudsman, and other key players.…
Miriam Margolyes has a message for the Australian Government
Miriam Margolyes OAM joins Jewish campaign to sanction Israel, saying ‘Never let it be said that Australia assisted in starving a nation to death’ Jewish Australian BAFTA-winning actor Miriam Margolyes OAM has joined the Jewish Council of Australia’s campaign calling on the Australian Government to sanction Israel. In a video message, Margolyes said, ‘I’m begging the…
Pro-Israel groups support visa for American Israeli influencer with documented history of Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism
The Minister for Home Affairs has denied a visa to American-Israeli influencer Hillel Fuld for Islamophobic rhetoric and his use of social media to deny “documented atrocities” against Palestinians in Gaza. Mr Fuld was due to speak in Australia at fundraising events in Sydney and Melbourne hosted by Magen David Adom. In one post on…
Jewish Council calls for Australia to intervene as Israel boards Gaza Freedom Flotilla
The Gaza Freedom Flotilla has been reportedly intercepted and boarded by Israeli forces in international waters. The Flotilla is carrying urgent aid to be delivered to Gaza, including baby formula, food, and medical supplies. According to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, all crew members, including the Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, have been detained by Israeli forces.…
Michael Edwards and Na’ama Carlin present submission to the NSW antisemitism enquiry
Executive Members Dr Michael Edwards and Dr Na’ama Carlin recently presented submission to the NSW antisemitism enquiry. Click here to watch an excerpt on YouTube or use the embedded player below:
Linda Briskman and Leia Greenslade speak to Jewish Activists for Peace about their study “Not in Out Name”
Advisory Committee members Professor Linda Briskman and Dr Leia Greenslade recently to Jewish Activists for Peace about their study Not in Out Name, “which amplifies the voices of Jewish Australians who oppose the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza”. Click here to watch the conversation on YouTube or use the embedded player below:
Join our campaign and write to your MP demanding urgent action on Gaza famine and destruction
Dear friends, Many thanks to the hundreds of you who joined the campaign against Israel’s starvation of Gaza, and sent us photos of yourselves holding signs. We have shared your powerful images on social media and sent them to politicians. Will you now take the next step with us, and write to your MP demanding urgent government…
Michael West Media covers Na’ama Carlin’s testimony at Parliament’s antisemitism enquiry
Executive Member Dr Na’ama Carlin’s testimony at Parliament’s antisemitism enquiry has been covered by Michael West Media. An excerpt from Na’ama’s testimony as quoted in the article: Delegitimising our views or deciding who can and who can’t talk for a community is not the way forward. Click here to read the full article.
News.com.au covers Jewish Council’s concerns about anti-hate laws
News.com.au recently published a story titled NSW government to probe anti-Semitism response amid concerns about anti-hate laws. It spoke to Jewish Council extensively, below is an excerpt from Sarah Schwartz’s comments quoted in the story: The government needs to get serious about addressing the root causes of hatred. The measures they are proposing are really…
MEDIA ALERT: Jewish Council executives to make submission toNSW antisemitism inquiry
What:The Jewish Council of Australia will make a submission to the first hearing of the NSW Legislative Council’s Portfolio Committee No. 5 inquiry into antisemitism in New South Wales. The hearing will receive submissions from groups and individuals relating to the prevalence of antisemitic incidents in New South Wales, antisemitism on university campuses, and the…
Antony Loewenstein speaks to ABC about which countries are selling arms to Israel
Advisory Committee member Antony Loewenstein recently spoke to ABC Radio National for an episode titled Which countries are selling arms to Israel? An excerpt from the episode’s description: A new report by Progressive International reveals the scale of UK arms exports to Israel. Meanwhile, Declassified Australia has confirmed Canberra-based company Electro Optic Systems has been…
Re-elected Albanese government must condemn Israel’s brutality and cut ties
On May 5, the Israeli Parliament approved plans to annex and occupy Gaza. These plans have been discussed for months. This is a blatant mission to ethnically cleanse Gaza, advancing Israel’s colonial intentions to take over the territory and rid it of Palestinians. For the past 19-months Israel has acted with extraordinary brutality, carrying out…
Sarah Schwartz talks to SBS News: “How war in the Middle East could shape the federal election”
Executive Officer Sarah Schwartz recently spoke to SBS News for a story titled How war in the Middle East could shape the federal election. An excerpt of her comments: I think it’s really dangerous to flatten any community and to say that an entire community holds a particular political view in support of Israel, particularly…
Jewish Council slams Dutton for stoking racist culture war, making all of us less safe
The Jewish Council has condemned Opposition Leader Peter Dutton for picking up neo-Nazi talking points, after he said yesterday he did not believe Anzac Day dawn services warranted a Welcome to Country. Dutton’s remarks followed the removal of prominent neo-Nazi Jacob Hersant from Melbourne’s Anzac Day dawn service on Friday, for heckling during a Bunurong elder’s…
