When a platform becomes a weapon
February 23, 2026 | Justin Amler
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.
Herzog’s visit brought warmth to Australia’s Jews
February 18, 2026 | Justin Amler
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.
‘Anti-Zionist’ protests just same old Soviet-style hate
February 16, 2026 | Paul Rubenstein
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
Herzog visit brought a split-screen vision of Australia
February 14, 2026 | Arsen Ostrovsky
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.
The Trojan Horse of Anti-Zionism
February 12, 2026 | Justin Amler
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
Grace Tame doesn’t understand what Intifada really means: Justin Amler on 2CC radio
February 12, 2026
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.
Violent incitement should not be allowed to masquerade as free speech
February 11, 2026 | Justin Amler
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.
Israel’s haters in grips of a bizarre obsession
February 10, 2026 | Tzvi Fleischer
“Anti-Zionism” is, of course, heavily linked to antisemitism. Aside from targeting as uniquely evil the self-determination of the Jews alone, activists on both the far left and far right constantly use the word “Zionist” when they want to use traditional antisemitic accusations against Jews: “Zionists” control the media; “Zionists” have all the politicians in their pockets with their money; “Zionists” are behind international immigration and wars…
Herzog visit comes at a profoundly significant moment for the Jewish community: Arsen Ostrovsky on BBC radio
February 8, 2026
AIJAC’s Sydney office head Arsen Ostrovsky was interviewed by BBC World Service radio about the background to Israeli President Herzog’s visit.
There is still time for the United States to save thousands of Iranians from a nightmarish fate
February 7, 2026 | Oved Lobel
It is already too late for thousands of Iranians, but there are still tens of thousands awaiting death, forced amputation, blinding, stoning, flogging, crucifixion, violent beatings, rape and other forms of horrendous torture who can be saved by timely US military intervention.
Israeli President Herzog’s visit a moment of leadership and hope
February 7, 2026 | Colin Rubenstein
President Herzog is not a political figure. He played no role in Israel’s prosecution of its just and necessary defensive war against Hamas… Rather, he is coming as the head of state to honour victims and survivors of Bondi, to meet with families and to express compassion at a moment of profound loss…
