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.
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.
