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.
AIJAC calls for urgent national action on worsening antisemitism crisis
January 21, 2025 | Colin Rubenstein
The attack on a childcare centre in Maroubra yesterday again underscores the reality that violent antisemitism is not a passing malady, but has become a chronic illness in Australia.
AIJAC relieved over deal to release hostages, but mindful of those left behind and ambiguity over Hamas’ role
January 16, 2025 | AIJAC
AIJAC is elated and relieved that a deal has finally been reached that will see the release of dozens of the Israeli hostages who were seized by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and have since been held in Gaza in the most inhumane conditions.
Australia’s votes at UN “starkly at odds with its own policy”
December 12, 2024 | Joel Burnie
In his speech after the vote, the Australian Ambassador says that Hamas must lay down its arm and there must be no role for terrorists in the future governance of Gaza, yet the terms of this resolution guarantee the opposite outcome. Yet this is the resolution Australia has chosen to support.
AIJAC “deeply disappointed” with “moral relativism and factual confusion” in speech from Foreign Minister
December 10, 2024 | Colin Rubenstein
The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) today expressed deep disappointment at the inappropriate moral relativism displayed by Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong during her Hawke Lecture on December 9 at the University of South Australia, in which she placed Russia, China and Israel side by side when it comes to supposed violations of international law.
Senator Watt’s comments “disappointing and irresponsible”
December 9, 2024 | Colin Rubenstein
The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) today expressed disappointment with Senator Murray Watt’s comments suggesting Josh Frydenberg’s concerns about the Government’s handling of antisemitism are partly motivated by politics.
AIJAC horrified by arson attack on Melbourne synagogue
December 6, 2024 | AIJAC
The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) is horrified and disgusted by the arson attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea this morning.
AIJAC deeply disappointed by Australian vote change on “woefully one-sided” UN Resolution
December 4, 2024 | AIJAC
The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council is yet again deeply disappointed by the Australian Government’s change of vote on a UN General Assembly resolution – this time one titled “Peaceful Settlement of the question of Palestine”.
