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The Advertiser
10-07-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Plan to rid anti-Jew 'cancer' targets uni, arts funding
Australia's universities and cultural institutions are at risk of losing their funding while immigrants face deportation under a wide-ranging plan to address anti-Semitism. Following a surge in threats and violence against Jewish Australians, the federal government has welcomed anti-Semitism envoy Jillian Segal's sweeping report, which put public funding at the front and centre of its recommendations. It found Jewish students were subject to discrimination, particularly at higher education campuses, and has urged the federal government to withhold money from universities, programs or academics that facilitate, enable or fail to act against anti-Semitism. Public grants could also be terminated if recipients engaged in "anti-Semitic or otherwise discriminatory or hateful speech or actions", the report said. "The plan supports the safety, visibility and contribution of Australia's Jewish communities, so that no Australian feels the need to hide who they are," Ms Segal told reporters in Sydney as she delivered her findings. Mr Albanese said Labor would work constructively with Ms Segal and review the recommendations, although he did not commit to implementing the measures. About 60 per cent of Australian Jewish students who experienced anti-Semitism in 2024 felt unsupported by their institutions, according to a survey by the Australian Union of Jewish Students. This push to ensure public funding "is not used to support or implicitly endorse anti-Semitic themes or narratives" could also put cultural institutions and broadcasters at risk. The report suggests all public funding agreements with festivals or cultural institutions include terms to allow for the termination of funding when they promote, facilitate or fail to effectively deal with hate or anti-Semitism. Anyone hoping to get an Australian visa should also be subject to screening for anti-Semitic views or affiliations and those found to have been involved would face visa cancellation and deportation under the recommendations. There are some concerns the plan could stifle legitimate criticism of Israel, whose violence in Gaza - following the October 7 attack on Israelis by Hamas - has killed more than 57,000 Palestinians. A slew of Australian arts bodies, including the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the State Library of Australia and Creative Australia, had already revoked opportunities from artists who had been outspoken critics of Israel. The report also recommended higher education institutions and all levels of government adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's controversial definition of anti-Semitism, which has been decried for conflating criticism of Israel and Zionism with anti-Semitism. When asked about the concerns, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said people had a right to their perspectives but did not have a right to bring conflict to Australia. "Whatever your view on the Middle East, it is not advanced by attacking people here in Australia because of who they are, because of their faith, because of their identity - it's completely unacceptable," he told reporters in Sydney. The progressive Jewish Council of Australia raised concerns the report's "dangerously unclear" recommendations risked censoring criticism of Israel, deepening racism and failing to to address the root causes of anti-Semitism. "This document reads more like a blueprint for silencing dissent rather than a strategy to build inclusion," executive officer Max Kaiser said. Other groups including the Zionist Federation of Australia and the Executive Council of Australian Jewry backed its findings and called for their urgent implementation. "This is a very well-considered plan," the council's president Daniel Aghion said. Ms Segal's report has been in the works since her July 2024 appointment but the issue of anti-Semitism returned to the fore after an East Melbourne synagogue was set alight on Friday night. There has been a 300 per cent rise in threats, vandalism and physical violence against Jewish Australians between October 2023 and September 2024. Federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley urged Mr Albanese to act on Ms Segal's recommendations and called anti-Semitism a "cultural and societal cancer". Australia's universities and cultural institutions are at risk of losing their funding while immigrants face deportation under a wide-ranging plan to address anti-Semitism. Following a surge in threats and violence against Jewish Australians, the federal government has welcomed anti-Semitism envoy Jillian Segal's sweeping report, which put public funding at the front and centre of its recommendations. It found Jewish students were subject to discrimination, particularly at higher education campuses, and has urged the federal government to withhold money from universities, programs or academics that facilitate, enable or fail to act against anti-Semitism. Public grants could also be terminated if recipients engaged in "anti-Semitic or otherwise discriminatory or hateful speech or actions", the report said. "The plan supports the safety, visibility and contribution of Australia's Jewish communities, so that no Australian feels the need to hide who they are," Ms Segal told reporters in Sydney as she delivered her findings. Mr Albanese said Labor would work constructively with Ms Segal and review the recommendations, although he did not commit to implementing the measures. About 60 per cent of Australian Jewish students who experienced anti-Semitism in 2024 felt unsupported by their institutions, according to a survey by the Australian Union of Jewish Students. This push to ensure public funding "is not used to support or implicitly endorse anti-Semitic themes or narratives" could also put cultural institutions and broadcasters at risk. The report suggests all public funding agreements with festivals or cultural institutions include terms to allow for the termination of funding when they promote, facilitate or fail to effectively deal with hate or anti-Semitism. Anyone hoping to get an Australian visa should also be subject to screening for anti-Semitic views or affiliations and those found to have been involved would face visa cancellation and deportation under the recommendations. There are some concerns the plan could stifle legitimate criticism of Israel, whose violence in Gaza - following the October 7 attack on Israelis by Hamas - has killed more than 57,000 Palestinians. A slew of Australian arts bodies, including the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the State Library of Australia and Creative Australia, had already revoked opportunities from artists who had been outspoken critics of Israel. The report also recommended higher education institutions and all levels of government adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's controversial definition of anti-Semitism, which has been decried for conflating criticism of Israel and Zionism with anti-Semitism. When asked about the concerns, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said people had a right to their perspectives but did not have a right to bring conflict to Australia. "Whatever your view on the Middle East, it is not advanced by attacking people here in Australia because of who they are, because of their faith, because of their identity - it's completely unacceptable," he told reporters in Sydney. The progressive Jewish Council of Australia raised concerns the report's "dangerously unclear" recommendations risked censoring criticism of Israel, deepening racism and failing to to address the root causes of anti-Semitism. "This document reads more like a blueprint for silencing dissent rather than a strategy to build inclusion," executive officer Max Kaiser said. Other groups including the Zionist Federation of Australia and the Executive Council of Australian Jewry backed its findings and called for their urgent implementation. "This is a very well-considered plan," the council's president Daniel Aghion said. Ms Segal's report has been in the works since her July 2024 appointment but the issue of anti-Semitism returned to the fore after an East Melbourne synagogue was set alight on Friday night. There has been a 300 per cent rise in threats, vandalism and physical violence against Jewish Australians between October 2023 and September 2024. Federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley urged Mr Albanese to act on Ms Segal's recommendations and called anti-Semitism a "cultural and societal cancer". Australia's universities and cultural institutions are at risk of losing their funding while immigrants face deportation under a wide-ranging plan to address anti-Semitism. Following a surge in threats and violence against Jewish Australians, the federal government has welcomed anti-Semitism envoy Jillian Segal's sweeping report, which put public funding at the front and centre of its recommendations. It found Jewish students were subject to discrimination, particularly at higher education campuses, and has urged the federal government to withhold money from universities, programs or academics that facilitate, enable or fail to act against anti-Semitism. Public grants could also be terminated if recipients engaged in "anti-Semitic or otherwise discriminatory or hateful speech or actions", the report said. "The plan supports the safety, visibility and contribution of Australia's Jewish communities, so that no Australian feels the need to hide who they are," Ms Segal told reporters in Sydney as she delivered her findings. Mr Albanese said Labor would work constructively with Ms Segal and review the recommendations, although he did not commit to implementing the measures. About 60 per cent of Australian Jewish students who experienced anti-Semitism in 2024 felt unsupported by their institutions, according to a survey by the Australian Union of Jewish Students. This push to ensure public funding "is not used to support or implicitly endorse anti-Semitic themes or narratives" could also put cultural institutions and broadcasters at risk. The report suggests all public funding agreements with festivals or cultural institutions include terms to allow for the termination of funding when they promote, facilitate or fail to effectively deal with hate or anti-Semitism. Anyone hoping to get an Australian visa should also be subject to screening for anti-Semitic views or affiliations and those found to have been involved would face visa cancellation and deportation under the recommendations. There are some concerns the plan could stifle legitimate criticism of Israel, whose violence in Gaza - following the October 7 attack on Israelis by Hamas - has killed more than 57,000 Palestinians. A slew of Australian arts bodies, including the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the State Library of Australia and Creative Australia, had already revoked opportunities from artists who had been outspoken critics of Israel. The report also recommended higher education institutions and all levels of government adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's controversial definition of anti-Semitism, which has been decried for conflating criticism of Israel and Zionism with anti-Semitism. When asked about the concerns, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said people had a right to their perspectives but did not have a right to bring conflict to Australia. "Whatever your view on the Middle East, it is not advanced by attacking people here in Australia because of who they are, because of their faith, because of their identity - it's completely unacceptable," he told reporters in Sydney. The progressive Jewish Council of Australia raised concerns the report's "dangerously unclear" recommendations risked censoring criticism of Israel, deepening racism and failing to to address the root causes of anti-Semitism. "This document reads more like a blueprint for silencing dissent rather than a strategy to build inclusion," executive officer Max Kaiser said. Other groups including the Zionist Federation of Australia and the Executive Council of Australian Jewry backed its findings and called for their urgent implementation. "This is a very well-considered plan," the council's president Daniel Aghion said. Ms Segal's report has been in the works since her July 2024 appointment but the issue of anti-Semitism returned to the fore after an East Melbourne synagogue was set alight on Friday night. There has been a 300 per cent rise in threats, vandalism and physical violence against Jewish Australians between October 2023 and September 2024. Federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley urged Mr Albanese to act on Ms Segal's recommendations and called anti-Semitism a "cultural and societal cancer". Australia's universities and cultural institutions are at risk of losing their funding while immigrants face deportation under a wide-ranging plan to address anti-Semitism. Following a surge in threats and violence against Jewish Australians, the federal government has welcomed anti-Semitism envoy Jillian Segal's sweeping report, which put public funding at the front and centre of its recommendations. It found Jewish students were subject to discrimination, particularly at higher education campuses, and has urged the federal government to withhold money from universities, programs or academics that facilitate, enable or fail to act against anti-Semitism. Public grants could also be terminated if recipients engaged in "anti-Semitic or otherwise discriminatory or hateful speech or actions", the report said. "The plan supports the safety, visibility and contribution of Australia's Jewish communities, so that no Australian feels the need to hide who they are," Ms Segal told reporters in Sydney as she delivered her findings. Mr Albanese said Labor would work constructively with Ms Segal and review the recommendations, although he did not commit to implementing the measures. About 60 per cent of Australian Jewish students who experienced anti-Semitism in 2024 felt unsupported by their institutions, according to a survey by the Australian Union of Jewish Students. This push to ensure public funding "is not used to support or implicitly endorse anti-Semitic themes or narratives" could also put cultural institutions and broadcasters at risk. The report suggests all public funding agreements with festivals or cultural institutions include terms to allow for the termination of funding when they promote, facilitate or fail to effectively deal with hate or anti-Semitism. Anyone hoping to get an Australian visa should also be subject to screening for anti-Semitic views or affiliations and those found to have been involved would face visa cancellation and deportation under the recommendations. There are some concerns the plan could stifle legitimate criticism of Israel, whose violence in Gaza - following the October 7 attack on Israelis by Hamas - has killed more than 57,000 Palestinians. A slew of Australian arts bodies, including the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the State Library of Australia and Creative Australia, had already revoked opportunities from artists who had been outspoken critics of Israel. The report also recommended higher education institutions and all levels of government adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's controversial definition of anti-Semitism, which has been decried for conflating criticism of Israel and Zionism with anti-Semitism. When asked about the concerns, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said people had a right to their perspectives but did not have a right to bring conflict to Australia. "Whatever your view on the Middle East, it is not advanced by attacking people here in Australia because of who they are, because of their faith, because of their identity - it's completely unacceptable," he told reporters in Sydney. The progressive Jewish Council of Australia raised concerns the report's "dangerously unclear" recommendations risked censoring criticism of Israel, deepening racism and failing to to address the root causes of anti-Semitism. "This document reads more like a blueprint for silencing dissent rather than a strategy to build inclusion," executive officer Max Kaiser said. Other groups including the Zionist Federation of Australia and the Executive Council of Australian Jewry backed its findings and called for their urgent implementation. "This is a very well-considered plan," the council's president Daniel Aghion said. Ms Segal's report has been in the works since her July 2024 appointment but the issue of anti-Semitism returned to the fore after an East Melbourne synagogue was set alight on Friday night. There has been a 300 per cent rise in threats, vandalism and physical violence against Jewish Australians between October 2023 and September 2024. Federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley urged Mr Albanese to act on Ms Segal's recommendations and called anti-Semitism a "cultural and societal cancer".
The Advertiser
10-07-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Universities, arts face cuts under anti-Semitism plan
Australian universities and cultural institutions could have their funding withheld as part of a sweeping plan to clamp down on anti-Semitism. The Special Envoy to Combat Anti-Semitism Jillian Segal has produced a report saying that cultural and educational spaces, specifically university campuses, are places where Jewish Australians suffered discrimination. As a result, its recommendations call on the federal government to work with Ms Segal to withhold funding from universities, programs or individuals within universities that facilitate, enable or fail to act against anti-Semitism. Public grants for university centres and academics could also be terminated if recipients engage in "anti-Semitic or otherwise discriminatory or hateful speech or actions". "Universities will continue to be held accountable," Ms Segal told reporters in Sydney as she delivered her findings to the federal government. "When my report speaks of education ... it is not just about education on the history of the Middle East or education about anti-Semitism, it is education about how to have civil dialogue and we've lost that." About 60 per cent of Australian Jewish students who experienced anti-Semitism in 2024 felt unsupported by their institutions, according to a survey by the Australian Union of Jewish Students referred to in Ms Segal's report. Cultural institutions, broadcasters and artists also featured, as the report recommended governments ensure public funding isn't used to support or implicitly endorse anti-Semitism themes or narratives. It suggests terms in agreements to allow funding to be pulled from institutions or festivals that promote, facilitate or don't "effectively deal with" hate or anti-Semitism. There are some concerns that the plan could stifle legitimate criticism of Israel, whose violence in Gaza - in the wake of the October 7, 2024, killings of Israeli citizens by Hamas - has resulted in the deaths of more than 57,000 Palestinians. A slew of Australian arts bodies, including the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the State Library of Australia and Creative Australia, faced backlash after revoking opportunities from artists who had been outspoken critics of Israel. And the report recommended that higher education institutions and all levels of government adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's controversial definition of anti-Semitism, which has been criticised for conflating criticism of Israel and Zionism with anti-Semitism. When asked about scrutiny of Israel, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that people had a right to their perspectives but did not have a right to bring conflict to Australia. "Whatever your view on the Middle East, it is not advanced by attacking people here in Australia because of who they are, because of their faith, because of their identity - it's completely unacceptable," he told reporters in Sydney, standing alongside Ms Segal. "The kind of hatred and violence that we've seen on our streets recently is despicable, and it won't be tolerated." He welcomed her plan, but noted the government and society would need to collaborate to ensure anti-Semitism was "pushed to the margins". Ms Segal's report has been in the works since her July 2024 appointment, which itself was a response to a rise in anti-Semitism following the October 7 attacks. An East Melbourne synagogue was set alight on Friday night, seven months after a firebombing at the Adass Israel Synagogue of Melbourne about 20 minutes away. There have been multiple incidents of vandalism at Jewish schools and synagogues, as well as a firebombing at the former home of a prominent community leader in Sydney in late 2024. According to the report, there was a 300 per cent rise in threats, vandalism and physical violence against Jewish Australians between October 2023 and September 2024, driven by offline and online extremist ideologies. But anti-Semitism had already been steadily rising in Australia prior to October 7. Federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has urged the prime minister to act on Ms Segal's recommendations. "This report shows anti-Semitism is not just a problem of security or law enforcement," she said. "It's a cultural and societal cancer that needs attention through our schools, universities, media, and even the arts." Australian universities and cultural institutions could have their funding withheld as part of a sweeping plan to clamp down on anti-Semitism. The Special Envoy to Combat Anti-Semitism Jillian Segal has produced a report saying that cultural and educational spaces, specifically university campuses, are places where Jewish Australians suffered discrimination. As a result, its recommendations call on the federal government to work with Ms Segal to withhold funding from universities, programs or individuals within universities that facilitate, enable or fail to act against anti-Semitism. Public grants for university centres and academics could also be terminated if recipients engage in "anti-Semitic or otherwise discriminatory or hateful speech or actions". "Universities will continue to be held accountable," Ms Segal told reporters in Sydney as she delivered her findings to the federal government. "When my report speaks of education ... it is not just about education on the history of the Middle East or education about anti-Semitism, it is education about how to have civil dialogue and we've lost that." About 60 per cent of Australian Jewish students who experienced anti-Semitism in 2024 felt unsupported by their institutions, according to a survey by the Australian Union of Jewish Students referred to in Ms Segal's report. Cultural institutions, broadcasters and artists also featured, as the report recommended governments ensure public funding isn't used to support or implicitly endorse anti-Semitism themes or narratives. It suggests terms in agreements to allow funding to be pulled from institutions or festivals that promote, facilitate or don't "effectively deal with" hate or anti-Semitism. There are some concerns that the plan could stifle legitimate criticism of Israel, whose violence in Gaza - in the wake of the October 7, 2024, killings of Israeli citizens by Hamas - has resulted in the deaths of more than 57,000 Palestinians. A slew of Australian arts bodies, including the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the State Library of Australia and Creative Australia, faced backlash after revoking opportunities from artists who had been outspoken critics of Israel. And the report recommended that higher education institutions and all levels of government adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's controversial definition of anti-Semitism, which has been criticised for conflating criticism of Israel and Zionism with anti-Semitism. When asked about scrutiny of Israel, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that people had a right to their perspectives but did not have a right to bring conflict to Australia. "Whatever your view on the Middle East, it is not advanced by attacking people here in Australia because of who they are, because of their faith, because of their identity - it's completely unacceptable," he told reporters in Sydney, standing alongside Ms Segal. "The kind of hatred and violence that we've seen on our streets recently is despicable, and it won't be tolerated." He welcomed her plan, but noted the government and society would need to collaborate to ensure anti-Semitism was "pushed to the margins". Ms Segal's report has been in the works since her July 2024 appointment, which itself was a response to a rise in anti-Semitism following the October 7 attacks. An East Melbourne synagogue was set alight on Friday night, seven months after a firebombing at the Adass Israel Synagogue of Melbourne about 20 minutes away. There have been multiple incidents of vandalism at Jewish schools and synagogues, as well as a firebombing at the former home of a prominent community leader in Sydney in late 2024. According to the report, there was a 300 per cent rise in threats, vandalism and physical violence against Jewish Australians between October 2023 and September 2024, driven by offline and online extremist ideologies. But anti-Semitism had already been steadily rising in Australia prior to October 7. Federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has urged the prime minister to act on Ms Segal's recommendations. "This report shows anti-Semitism is not just a problem of security or law enforcement," she said. "It's a cultural and societal cancer that needs attention through our schools, universities, media, and even the arts." Australian universities and cultural institutions could have their funding withheld as part of a sweeping plan to clamp down on anti-Semitism. The Special Envoy to Combat Anti-Semitism Jillian Segal has produced a report saying that cultural and educational spaces, specifically university campuses, are places where Jewish Australians suffered discrimination. As a result, its recommendations call on the federal government to work with Ms Segal to withhold funding from universities, programs or individuals within universities that facilitate, enable or fail to act against anti-Semitism. Public grants for university centres and academics could also be terminated if recipients engage in "anti-Semitic or otherwise discriminatory or hateful speech or actions". "Universities will continue to be held accountable," Ms Segal told reporters in Sydney as she delivered her findings to the federal government. "When my report speaks of education ... it is not just about education on the history of the Middle East or education about anti-Semitism, it is education about how to have civil dialogue and we've lost that." About 60 per cent of Australian Jewish students who experienced anti-Semitism in 2024 felt unsupported by their institutions, according to a survey by the Australian Union of Jewish Students referred to in Ms Segal's report. Cultural institutions, broadcasters and artists also featured, as the report recommended governments ensure public funding isn't used to support or implicitly endorse anti-Semitism themes or narratives. It suggests terms in agreements to allow funding to be pulled from institutions or festivals that promote, facilitate or don't "effectively deal with" hate or anti-Semitism. There are some concerns that the plan could stifle legitimate criticism of Israel, whose violence in Gaza - in the wake of the October 7, 2024, killings of Israeli citizens by Hamas - has resulted in the deaths of more than 57,000 Palestinians. A slew of Australian arts bodies, including the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the State Library of Australia and Creative Australia, faced backlash after revoking opportunities from artists who had been outspoken critics of Israel. And the report recommended that higher education institutions and all levels of government adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's controversial definition of anti-Semitism, which has been criticised for conflating criticism of Israel and Zionism with anti-Semitism. When asked about scrutiny of Israel, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that people had a right to their perspectives but did not have a right to bring conflict to Australia. "Whatever your view on the Middle East, it is not advanced by attacking people here in Australia because of who they are, because of their faith, because of their identity - it's completely unacceptable," he told reporters in Sydney, standing alongside Ms Segal. "The kind of hatred and violence that we've seen on our streets recently is despicable, and it won't be tolerated." He welcomed her plan, but noted the government and society would need to collaborate to ensure anti-Semitism was "pushed to the margins". Ms Segal's report has been in the works since her July 2024 appointment, which itself was a response to a rise in anti-Semitism following the October 7 attacks. An East Melbourne synagogue was set alight on Friday night, seven months after a firebombing at the Adass Israel Synagogue of Melbourne about 20 minutes away. There have been multiple incidents of vandalism at Jewish schools and synagogues, as well as a firebombing at the former home of a prominent community leader in Sydney in late 2024. According to the report, there was a 300 per cent rise in threats, vandalism and physical violence against Jewish Australians between October 2023 and September 2024, driven by offline and online extremist ideologies. But anti-Semitism had already been steadily rising in Australia prior to October 7. Federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has urged the prime minister to act on Ms Segal's recommendations. "This report shows anti-Semitism is not just a problem of security or law enforcement," she said. "It's a cultural and societal cancer that needs attention through our schools, universities, media, and even the arts." Australian universities and cultural institutions could have their funding withheld as part of a sweeping plan to clamp down on anti-Semitism. The Special Envoy to Combat Anti-Semitism Jillian Segal has produced a report saying that cultural and educational spaces, specifically university campuses, are places where Jewish Australians suffered discrimination. As a result, its recommendations call on the federal government to work with Ms Segal to withhold funding from universities, programs or individuals within universities that facilitate, enable or fail to act against anti-Semitism. Public grants for university centres and academics could also be terminated if recipients engage in "anti-Semitic or otherwise discriminatory or hateful speech or actions". "Universities will continue to be held accountable," Ms Segal told reporters in Sydney as she delivered her findings to the federal government. "When my report speaks of education ... it is not just about education on the history of the Middle East or education about anti-Semitism, it is education about how to have civil dialogue and we've lost that." About 60 per cent of Australian Jewish students who experienced anti-Semitism in 2024 felt unsupported by their institutions, according to a survey by the Australian Union of Jewish Students referred to in Ms Segal's report. Cultural institutions, broadcasters and artists also featured, as the report recommended governments ensure public funding isn't used to support or implicitly endorse anti-Semitism themes or narratives. It suggests terms in agreements to allow funding to be pulled from institutions or festivals that promote, facilitate or don't "effectively deal with" hate or anti-Semitism. There are some concerns that the plan could stifle legitimate criticism of Israel, whose violence in Gaza - in the wake of the October 7, 2024, killings of Israeli citizens by Hamas - has resulted in the deaths of more than 57,000 Palestinians. A slew of Australian arts bodies, including the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the State Library of Australia and Creative Australia, faced backlash after revoking opportunities from artists who had been outspoken critics of Israel. And the report recommended that higher education institutions and all levels of government adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's controversial definition of anti-Semitism, which has been criticised for conflating criticism of Israel and Zionism with anti-Semitism. When asked about scrutiny of Israel, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that people had a right to their perspectives but did not have a right to bring conflict to Australia. "Whatever your view on the Middle East, it is not advanced by attacking people here in Australia because of who they are, because of their faith, because of their identity - it's completely unacceptable," he told reporters in Sydney, standing alongside Ms Segal. "The kind of hatred and violence that we've seen on our streets recently is despicable, and it won't be tolerated." He welcomed her plan, but noted the government and society would need to collaborate to ensure anti-Semitism was "pushed to the margins". Ms Segal's report has been in the works since her July 2024 appointment, which itself was a response to a rise in anti-Semitism following the October 7 attacks. An East Melbourne synagogue was set alight on Friday night, seven months after a firebombing at the Adass Israel Synagogue of Melbourne about 20 minutes away. There have been multiple incidents of vandalism at Jewish schools and synagogues, as well as a firebombing at the former home of a prominent community leader in Sydney in late 2024. According to the report, there was a 300 per cent rise in threats, vandalism and physical violence against Jewish Australians between October 2023 and September 2024, driven by offline and online extremist ideologies. But anti-Semitism had already been steadily rising in Australia prior to October 7. Federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has urged the prime minister to act on Ms Segal's recommendations. "This report shows anti-Semitism is not just a problem of security or law enforcement," she said. "It's a cultural and societal cancer that needs attention through our schools, universities, media, and even the arts."
Sky News AU
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Victoria's Allan government responds to latest antisemitic attacks with new anti-hate taskforce
The Victorian government has announced the creation of a new anti-hate taskforce in response to a spate of antisemitic incidents over the weekend. Multiple antisemitic incidents occurred across inner Melbourne on Friday night, including an alleged arson attack on an East Melbourne synagogue. On Sunday pro-Palestinian protesters chanted 'Death, death to the IDF'. Premier Jacinta Allan has come under fire for failing to do more to combat antisemitism in Victoria. She has also been criticised for not yet visiting the East Melbourne synagogue which was firebombed on Friday night. In response, Premier Allan has announced the creation of a new anti-hate taskforce, which is expected to meet for the first time this week. The new taskforce will initially comprise the Premier, Police Minister Anthony Carbines, Melbourne Lord Mayor Nick Reece, as well as police representatives, but membership is expected to grow over time with invitations reportedly being sent to representatives from Melbourne's Jewish community ahead of its first meeting. Victoria Police announced on Sunday that a 34-year-old NSW man had been charged over the alleged arson attack on the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation, which occurred while approximately 20 people were inside. On the same evening, a group of around 20 people stormed a Jewish restaurant in the heart of Melbourne's CBD, overturning tables and chanting. And multiple offenders targeted cars outside an Israel-link business, spraying them with graffiti and setting two of the vehicles on fire. Just two days after the incidents, pro-Palestine protesters gathered in Melbourne for the latest demonstration. While the demonstration was opened by a condemnation of the attack on the East Melbourne Synagogue, protesters were heard chanting 'dead, death to the IDF', while signs with the same slogan and 'Glory to the Martyrs' were also spotted. Executive Council for Jewry President Daniel Aghion told Sky News Australia the weekend's events were 'quite traumatic' for the Jewish community, particularly since there were three quite different attacks had occurred on the one evening. 'That's quite concerning, because what it's telling us is that the hatred against the Australian Jewish community is widespread,' Mr Aghion said. 'We're not getting hit by one particular part ofthe community. We're getting hit by a number of different parts of the community with a number of different attitudes that are aggressively against the Australian Jewish community.' The ECAJ President said the Gaza conflict was driving the growth of antisemitism, but there was also a 'shifting attitude' towards Israel. 'I think we are seeing a fundamentally different approach to Israel and Jews around the world,' he said 'Unfortunately, Australia has a particularly violent stream of antisemitism, but the general themes behind that antisemitism exist and are being experienced by our colleagues internationally.' The ECAJ President said there had been 11 firebombing attacks against the Jewish community in Australia over the past 12 months, four of them in Melbourne and seven in Sydney. 'No country around the world... has any bombings of that nature, fire bombings to that level. 'Why that is, I don't know.' Mr Aghion said the Taskforce was a 'great start' but words needed to be turned into action. 'We've seen strong responses, strong language from our political leaders over the weekend. That's a great start. Now we've got to turn from talk into action,' he said. 'What we've got to look for is a whole of community response… what needs to happen is there needs to be a sitting down in a very positive and collaborative and doing process with government to work through our government leads a whole of community response. 'This is not just about the Jewish community. This is not just about the politicians and government. This is an attack on the whole of Australia, and it needs a whole of community response.'
The Advertiser
06-07-2025
- The Advertiser
Man charged over synagogue firebombing
A 34-year-old man has been charged over the firebombing of a synagogue that's sent shock waves through Australia's Jewish community. Twenty congregants were forced to flee the synagogue in East Melbourne on Friday night after a bearded man doused the building's front door with flammable liquid before setting it alight. He fled on foot, while firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze, which was contained to the front entrance. A NSW man was arrested in Melbourne's CBD on Saturday about 8.15pm and charged with multiple offences, including reckless conduct endangering life, criminal damage by fire and possession of a controlled weapon. The 34-year-old will appear before the bail and remand court on Sunday. Detectives will investigate the accused man's intent and ideology to determine if the incident was an act of terrorism. Victoria Police said it was lucky no one was injured in another alleged act of anti-Semitism on the same night when protesters allegedly smashed a window, flipped tables and threw chairs outside Israeli restaurant Miznon in Melbourne's CBD. The group of protesters had splintered from a larger demonstration in the city before making their way to the restaurant in Hardware Lane, where they chanted "death to the IDF", referring to the Israel Defence Force. A 28-year-old protester was arrested for hindering police, as detectives sift through CCTV as part of investigations. Hours later, offenders spray-painted three cars and a wall outside a Greensborough business in Melbourne's northeast before setting fire to the vehicles, destroying one and damaging two. Police said there were "inferences of anti-Semitism" and the business had been "subjected to pro-Palestinian activity" in the past 12 months. Detectives are investigating if there are any links between the three incidents and have flagged a review of their response to a pro-Palestine demonstration to be held in Melbourne on Sunday. None of the incidents have been declared terrorism-related but the force is increasing patrols around the synagogue and in the city's southeast. The attack on the 150-year-old temple was the 10th firebombing the Australian Jewish community has experienced in the past 12 months, Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion said. "If you think about terrorism as creating terror or fear, then yes, it is a form of terrorism," he said. "This is a pattern of behaviour designed to create fear amongst the Jewish community, which it will not do." Anti-Defamation Commission's Dvir Abramovich said diners were terrorised and Melbourne "stopped being a safe place for Jews" for one night. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the synagogue arson as a "cowardly" act of violence and anti-Semitism and said the attacks on the restaurant and business were unacceptable. The federal government has offered federal police and security and intelligence agency support to investigators. "Those responsible for these shocking acts must face the full force of the law," he said. The attacks come seven months after a blaze destroyed two buildings at the Adass Israel Synagogue in the city's south and forced worshippers inside to flee. No charges have been laid, although counterterrorism police have raided multiple properties as part of that investigation. Israel's foreign minister condemned Friday's attacks and demanded Australian do more to combat anti-Semitism. "Israel stands firmly with the Jewish community in Australia," Gideon Sa'ar posted on social platform X. "There have been too many anti-Semitic attacks in Australia." A 34-year-old man has been charged over the firebombing of a synagogue that's sent shock waves through Australia's Jewish community. Twenty congregants were forced to flee the synagogue in East Melbourne on Friday night after a bearded man doused the building's front door with flammable liquid before setting it alight. He fled on foot, while firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze, which was contained to the front entrance. A NSW man was arrested in Melbourne's CBD on Saturday about 8.15pm and charged with multiple offences, including reckless conduct endangering life, criminal damage by fire and possession of a controlled weapon. The 34-year-old will appear before the bail and remand court on Sunday. Detectives will investigate the accused man's intent and ideology to determine if the incident was an act of terrorism. Victoria Police said it was lucky no one was injured in another alleged act of anti-Semitism on the same night when protesters allegedly smashed a window, flipped tables and threw chairs outside Israeli restaurant Miznon in Melbourne's CBD. The group of protesters had splintered from a larger demonstration in the city before making their way to the restaurant in Hardware Lane, where they chanted "death to the IDF", referring to the Israel Defence Force. A 28-year-old protester was arrested for hindering police, as detectives sift through CCTV as part of investigations. Hours later, offenders spray-painted three cars and a wall outside a Greensborough business in Melbourne's northeast before setting fire to the vehicles, destroying one and damaging two. Police said there were "inferences of anti-Semitism" and the business had been "subjected to pro-Palestinian activity" in the past 12 months. Detectives are investigating if there are any links between the three incidents and have flagged a review of their response to a pro-Palestine demonstration to be held in Melbourne on Sunday. None of the incidents have been declared terrorism-related but the force is increasing patrols around the synagogue and in the city's southeast. The attack on the 150-year-old temple was the 10th firebombing the Australian Jewish community has experienced in the past 12 months, Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion said. "If you think about terrorism as creating terror or fear, then yes, it is a form of terrorism," he said. "This is a pattern of behaviour designed to create fear amongst the Jewish community, which it will not do." Anti-Defamation Commission's Dvir Abramovich said diners were terrorised and Melbourne "stopped being a safe place for Jews" for one night. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the synagogue arson as a "cowardly" act of violence and anti-Semitism and said the attacks on the restaurant and business were unacceptable. The federal government has offered federal police and security and intelligence agency support to investigators. "Those responsible for these shocking acts must face the full force of the law," he said. The attacks come seven months after a blaze destroyed two buildings at the Adass Israel Synagogue in the city's south and forced worshippers inside to flee. No charges have been laid, although counterterrorism police have raided multiple properties as part of that investigation. Israel's foreign minister condemned Friday's attacks and demanded Australian do more to combat anti-Semitism. "Israel stands firmly with the Jewish community in Australia," Gideon Sa'ar posted on social platform X. "There have been too many anti-Semitic attacks in Australia." A 34-year-old man has been charged over the firebombing of a synagogue that's sent shock waves through Australia's Jewish community. Twenty congregants were forced to flee the synagogue in East Melbourne on Friday night after a bearded man doused the building's front door with flammable liquid before setting it alight. He fled on foot, while firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze, which was contained to the front entrance. A NSW man was arrested in Melbourne's CBD on Saturday about 8.15pm and charged with multiple offences, including reckless conduct endangering life, criminal damage by fire and possession of a controlled weapon. The 34-year-old will appear before the bail and remand court on Sunday. Detectives will investigate the accused man's intent and ideology to determine if the incident was an act of terrorism. Victoria Police said it was lucky no one was injured in another alleged act of anti-Semitism on the same night when protesters allegedly smashed a window, flipped tables and threw chairs outside Israeli restaurant Miznon in Melbourne's CBD. The group of protesters had splintered from a larger demonstration in the city before making their way to the restaurant in Hardware Lane, where they chanted "death to the IDF", referring to the Israel Defence Force. A 28-year-old protester was arrested for hindering police, as detectives sift through CCTV as part of investigations. Hours later, offenders spray-painted three cars and a wall outside a Greensborough business in Melbourne's northeast before setting fire to the vehicles, destroying one and damaging two. Police said there were "inferences of anti-Semitism" and the business had been "subjected to pro-Palestinian activity" in the past 12 months. Detectives are investigating if there are any links between the three incidents and have flagged a review of their response to a pro-Palestine demonstration to be held in Melbourne on Sunday. None of the incidents have been declared terrorism-related but the force is increasing patrols around the synagogue and in the city's southeast. The attack on the 150-year-old temple was the 10th firebombing the Australian Jewish community has experienced in the past 12 months, Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion said. "If you think about terrorism as creating terror or fear, then yes, it is a form of terrorism," he said. "This is a pattern of behaviour designed to create fear amongst the Jewish community, which it will not do." Anti-Defamation Commission's Dvir Abramovich said diners were terrorised and Melbourne "stopped being a safe place for Jews" for one night. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the synagogue arson as a "cowardly" act of violence and anti-Semitism and said the attacks on the restaurant and business were unacceptable. The federal government has offered federal police and security and intelligence agency support to investigators. "Those responsible for these shocking acts must face the full force of the law," he said. The attacks come seven months after a blaze destroyed two buildings at the Adass Israel Synagogue in the city's south and forced worshippers inside to flee. No charges have been laid, although counterterrorism police have raided multiple properties as part of that investigation. Israel's foreign minister condemned Friday's attacks and demanded Australian do more to combat anti-Semitism. "Israel stands firmly with the Jewish community in Australia," Gideon Sa'ar posted on social platform X. "There have been too many anti-Semitic attacks in Australia." A 34-year-old man has been charged over the firebombing of a synagogue that's sent shock waves through Australia's Jewish community. Twenty congregants were forced to flee the synagogue in East Melbourne on Friday night after a bearded man doused the building's front door with flammable liquid before setting it alight. He fled on foot, while firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze, which was contained to the front entrance. A NSW man was arrested in Melbourne's CBD on Saturday about 8.15pm and charged with multiple offences, including reckless conduct endangering life, criminal damage by fire and possession of a controlled weapon. The 34-year-old will appear before the bail and remand court on Sunday. Detectives will investigate the accused man's intent and ideology to determine if the incident was an act of terrorism. Victoria Police said it was lucky no one was injured in another alleged act of anti-Semitism on the same night when protesters allegedly smashed a window, flipped tables and threw chairs outside Israeli restaurant Miznon in Melbourne's CBD. The group of protesters had splintered from a larger demonstration in the city before making their way to the restaurant in Hardware Lane, where they chanted "death to the IDF", referring to the Israel Defence Force. A 28-year-old protester was arrested for hindering police, as detectives sift through CCTV as part of investigations. Hours later, offenders spray-painted three cars and a wall outside a Greensborough business in Melbourne's northeast before setting fire to the vehicles, destroying one and damaging two. Police said there were "inferences of anti-Semitism" and the business had been "subjected to pro-Palestinian activity" in the past 12 months. Detectives are investigating if there are any links between the three incidents and have flagged a review of their response to a pro-Palestine demonstration to be held in Melbourne on Sunday. None of the incidents have been declared terrorism-related but the force is increasing patrols around the synagogue and in the city's southeast. The attack on the 150-year-old temple was the 10th firebombing the Australian Jewish community has experienced in the past 12 months, Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion said. "If you think about terrorism as creating terror or fear, then yes, it is a form of terrorism," he said. "This is a pattern of behaviour designed to create fear amongst the Jewish community, which it will not do." Anti-Defamation Commission's Dvir Abramovich said diners were terrorised and Melbourne "stopped being a safe place for Jews" for one night. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the synagogue arson as a "cowardly" act of violence and anti-Semitism and said the attacks on the restaurant and business were unacceptable. The federal government has offered federal police and security and intelligence agency support to investigators. "Those responsible for these shocking acts must face the full force of the law," he said. The attacks come seven months after a blaze destroyed two buildings at the Adass Israel Synagogue in the city's south and forced worshippers inside to flee. No charges have been laid, although counterterrorism police have raided multiple properties as part of that investigation. Israel's foreign minister condemned Friday's attacks and demanded Australian do more to combat anti-Semitism. "Israel stands firmly with the Jewish community in Australia," Gideon Sa'ar posted on social platform X. "There have been too many anti-Semitic attacks in Australia."
Sky News AU
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
‘Hate preaching can't hide from the law': Australian Jewish leaders hail Wissam Haddad racial discrimination verdict
Prominent Australian Jewish leaders have hailed a landmark Federal Court ruling against a Sydney-based Islamic preacher, with an association president saying he was pleased to see a particular type of 'hate preaching' being dealt with by the law. Islamic cleric Wissam Haddad was found by the court on Tuesday to have breached Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act for remarks he made in a series of sermons. It was alleged Mr Haddad had referred to Jewish people as 'vile' and 'treacherous' and the descendants of 'pigs and monkeys,' prompting the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) to bring the case against him. Australian Jewish Association President David Adler told Sky News on Tuesday evening that though he was 'not great a fan' of Section 18C of the act, he was pleased to see the Federal Court verdict. 'It'd be much better than the alternative and we are pleased that this particular type of hate preaching can't hide from the law, calling on Islamic radical ideology,' he said. 'I don't see (Section 18C) as curing antisemitism, we think that there are some bigger issues that need to be addressed, but here's a win.' ECAJ co-chief executive Peter Wertheim spoke to reporters outside the court on Tuesday, where he said the action against Mr Haddad was taken 'to defend the safety and honor' of the Jewish community. He told Sky News later on Tuesday that the body had received an 'avalanche of congratulatory messages' from across Australia from both Jewish and non-Jewish people after the ruling. Mr Haddad had claimed his controversial remarks were drawn from, or made in reference to, Islamic scripture, but Mr Wertheim said expert evidence presented in the case suggested otherwise. 'All of the expert evidence in the case, including from Mr Haddad's own expert on Islam, was that Islam does not justify the wholesale vilification of the Jewish people. So it's wrong to characterise those sort of sentiments as being Islamic,' he said. The ECAJ co-chief executive said he believed pursuing the case had been important for a number of reasons and insisted 'a line in the sand had to be drawn'. 'We were seeing in the wake of the October 7 terrorist attacks in Israel an upsurge of antisemitism in different parts of the world, including in Australia, and including from some sectors of Australian society that hold themselves out as champions of human rights,' Mr Wertheim said.
