AIJAC congratulates Labor on its emphatic election victory
May 5, 2025
AIJAC Executive Director Dr Colin Rubenstein said, “We congratulate Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his team on retaining government, and look forward to once again working with them constructively in the interests of Australia, including our Australian Jewish community.”
AIJAC saddened by the passing of Rabbi Shalom Coleman
April 28, 2025
The AIJAC Directors and professional team are deeply saddened by the passing of Rabbi Shalom Coleman CBE AM. Rabbi Coleman gave extensive and enduring commitment to the Perth Jewish community and countless organisations from Rotary to the Murdoch University Senate, was a Justice of The Peace and an exemplary chaplain of the ADF.
Australia’s Antisemitism crisis: AIJAC Executive Manager Joel Burnie addresses AJC Global Forum
April 28, 2025
Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) Executive Manager Joel Burnie joined other diaspora leaders in New York to discuss how Jewish communities around the world are coping in the wake of the October 7, 2023 terror attacks in Israel.
AIJAC expresses condolences on the passing of Pope Francis
April 22, 2025
AIJAC extends its condolences on the death of Pope Francis, a singular spiritual leader. The Pope was a humble and humane spiritual leader with a forthright manner and a deeply compassionate heart, a Jesuit of distinction and a champion of interfaith relationships.
AIJAC mourns Petro Georgiou AO, champion of Australian multiculturalism
April 7, 2025
The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) mourns the passing of Petro Georgiou AO, who was a long-standing friend of both the Australian Jewish community and AIJAC in particular, and an esteemed champion of Australian multiculturalism and our nation’s democratic liberal values.
AIJAC deeply disturbed by threats and hateful messages targeting Mosques
March 21, 2025
The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) today said it was deeply distressed to hear about the recent threats and hateful messages targeting Mosques and Muslim worshippers in Sydney. AIJAC Executive Director Colin Rubenstein said, “Hatred and threats of violence leads to a climate of intimidation and, all too often, actual violence. It’s what the Jewish community has been facing for the last year and a half, and no one wants to see this visited on any other Australians.”
AIJAC welcomes arrest of person who threatened mass violence against Muslims
March 6, 2025
The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council welcomes the arrest of the person who allegedly threatened mass violence against Muslims. AIJAC National Chairman Mark Leibler and Executive Director Dr Colin Rubenstein stated, “The prompt arrest of the alleged perpetrator is welcomed by the Jewish community.”
AIJAC welcomes passage of Hate Crimes bill
February 7, 2025 | AIJAC staff
AIJAC executive director Dr Colin Rubenstein AM said, “These amendments have rectified some serious gaps in the Criminal Code and will ideally act as a deterrent against the systemic acts of violence and intimidation we’ve seen in the streets of major Australian cities for the past 15 months.”
AIJAC both concerned and hopeful in wake of President Trump’s pledges at meeting with Netanyahu
February 5, 2025 | AIJAC staff
The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) today said that it was “hopeful” that the cycle of war surrounding Gaza could be broken by US President Trump’s offer for the US to take a lead role in rebuilding Gaza… However, AIJAC also expressed strong concern over any hint that the US President is suggesting forcibly evacuating Gazans from the area.
AIJAC welcomes bipartisan support for Federal Hate Crimes bill
February 4, 2025 | AIJAC staff
The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) welcomes the likely passing of the Criminal Code Amendment (Hate Crimes) Bill 2024 and the bipartisan support for it, but believes existing legislation should be better enforced.
