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A visit to support the Jewish community became an excuse for some to further traumatise them
You’d need a cold heart not to be moved by footage of the [Israeli] president and his wife consoling tearful family members of those murdered. Yet, sadly, the visit attracted vitriol from some for whom the plight of the Bondi victims and the traumatised Jewish community were outweighed by their determination to pursue their obsessive campaign against Israel.
Read MoreWhen a platform becomes a weapon
The chants of former Australian of the Year Grace Tame are still echoing in the ears of Australian Jews all over the country. To have someone who has been bestowed a great honour, one reserved for someone who embodies Australian values such as fairness, respect and compassion, use a chant widely interpreted as a call for violence against a segment of the Australian community is both troubling and distressing.
Read MoreHerzog’s visit brought warmth to Australia’s Jews
Antisemitism has become so normalised that many incidents barely register beyond the community itself. In that climate, Herzog’s visit was not simply a diplomatic engagement. It was the embrace that we needed for a community that for too long felt isolated and vulnerable.
Read More‘Anti-Zionist’ protests just same old Soviet-style hate
The protests held this past week against the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog – a largely ceremonial head of state – were touted as mass mobilisation in the service of human rights and international law. In reality, they followed the same script as classic Soviet practice in which Zionism was slandered, treated as illegitimate, vilified as a symbol of global evil
Read MoreHerzog visit brought a split-screen vision of Australia
This week’s historic visit to Australia by Israeli President Isaac Herzog came at a moment of immense significance for Australia’s Jewish community… It also, however, developed into a split screen moment for the nation’s character, forcing Australians to confront what kind of society we want to be and whether our commitment to tolerance and the rule of law will endure.
Read MoreAntisemitism in Australia after the Bondi Massacre: Arsen Ostrovsky at the Sydney Institute
AIJAC Sydney office head Arsen Ostrovsky & columnist with The Australian Gemma Tognini appeared at the Sydney Institute to discuss antisemitism in Australia in the wake of the Bondi Massacre.
Read MoreAIJAC congratulates Angus Taylor, Jane Hume, thanks Sussan Ley
The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) congratulates Angus Taylor on his election as Leader of the Liberal Party and Australia’s new Opposition Leader. We also congratulate Senator Jane Hume, his new deputy.
Read MoreMarch 31 will be the key deadline in Bibi’s delicate political balancing act
To see out the remainder of this Knesset’s term, Binyamin Netanyahu will have to navigate a budget vote, tensions over Haredi military conscription and a volatile regional environment dominated by Iran and the still unresolved Gaza situation
Read MoreThe Trojan Horse of Anti-Zionism
They use language designed to wound, treating Zionism — a movement for Jewish self-determination in their ancestral homeland — as if it were entirely divorced from Jewish identity. Through purposefully provocative slogans and slurs painting Zionism as inherently “colonialist”, “racist”, “terrorist” and “evil”, they thus cloak themselves as fighters for peace and justice
Read MoreHerzog visit gives comfort and hope to our grieving community: Arsen Ostrovsky on Sky News
AIJAC’s Sydney office head Arsen Ostrovsky spoke with Sky News’ Sharri Markson about Israeli President Herzog’s visit to Australia.
Read MoreGrace Tame doesn’t understand what Intifada really means: Justin Amler on 2CC radio
AIJAC policy analyst Justin Amler discussed Grace Tame’s contribution to anti-Israel protests in Sydney this week with Stephen Cenatiempo from Radio 2CC in Canberra.
Read MoreViolent incitement should not be allowed to masquerade as free speech
If public figures can openly lead chants that glorify and encourage violence against Jews without consequence, it underlines the urgency of legislation to prohibit such incitement. While laws may not change hearts and minds, they do establish boundaries and real-world consequences.
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