Antisemitism Royal Commission dilemma: not all Jews think the same

With the Royal Commission into Antisemitism due to publish its interim report this week, a reckoning between Judaism and Israel is long overdue. Jewish community leader Jeffrey Loewenstein with story.

Let us be clear that antisemitism itself, like all forms of slander and bigotry, is abhorrent and has no place in a civilized society.

The vexed question of antisemitism and what it actually means and encompasses – let alone how to combat it – will be front and center in the deliberations and, presumably, findings of the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion.

The so-called majority of the Jewish community, on whose behalf organizations such as ECAJ, the Zionist Federation, AIJAC and NCJW seek to speak, have presented themselves as spokespeople who unquestionably positively support Israel’s actions – the occupation of Gaza, the killing and maiming of its people, the starving of Gazans, the destruction of Gaza’s infrastructure, the blocking of medical supplies and equipment entering Gaza, the lawlessness, the so-called settlers in the West Bank. etc.,

or to remain silent, no matter how horrific Israel’s actions are.

To say this is indifferent to the suffering of Gazans or Palestinians in the West Bank would be an understatement. This definitely shows a lack of humanity and a lack of moral compass.

And this comes from a people who claim to obey the Ten Commandments and Rabbi Hillel’s edict: “Whatever hates you, do not do to your friend.” This is the whole Torah; the rest is explanation; Go and learn.” (Babylon talmud, sabbath 31a).

Israel’s ‘success’

The man on the street, who probably sees Israel as a “successful”, smart country, a leader in technology and medicine, with a “smart” Mossad security service, watching the nightly news bulletin with graphic images of the wanton killing and mutilation of Gazans by the Israelis and starving children – and now the ongoing assault in Lebanon by the Israelis – will be outraged and wonder how Israel – or is it just the Jews – allowed all this? this will happen.

Add to this the fact that Jews in Australia regularly parade with Israeli flags slung over their shoulders and wave small Israeli flags, and it will almost certainly lead the average person to accept what Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has been saying for years: that he speaks for and represents Israel and all Jews in the world.

As for this author, definitely not!

Even our political leaders are confused. A Federal Minister has justified Israeli President Herzog’s arrival in Australia on the grounds that the Jewish community was seeking solace from their “national leaders” after Bondi. Again, not true for many.

Island visits. Herzog’s reaction disrupted Albo’s ‘social harmony’

royal dilemma

The Royal Commissioner will face some stark truths. First of all, how the majority of Jews view and support Israel.

Here’s an example of those tragically murdered in Bondi: Video footage and photos from October 7 of a Bondi Chabad rabbi handing out money on the West Bank in support of settlers and posing with a rifle and a rocket.

The direct conflation of anti-Israelism and what is said to be antisemitism is nowhere better seen than in the ECAJ Report, which claims as part of its statistics how antisemitism increased in Australia after October 7, with something like scrawling “Free Palestine” on a wall.

Special Representative on Antisemitism, Jillian Segal, has tried to convince us that weekly protest marches and even the eventful march over the Sydney Harbor Bridge (under the banner of the March for Humanity) breed antisemitism.

Special Envoy Jillian Segal admits Harbor Bridge march not anti-Semitic

Anti-Semitic or anti-Israeli?

There have been many attempts to conflate anti-Israelism with being antisemitic, including pushing the IHRA “definition” of antisemitism.

Many Jews who criticize Israel, as well as many knowledgeable Jewish scholars who oppose the definition, will be “caught” as anti-Semites. Members of the Australian Jewish community now resort to publicly (even on ABC Radio National) calling Jews who speak openly about Israel’s actions “anti-Semitic”.

Interestingly, an investigative report titled ‘Journeys and Goals of Young Jewish Anti-Zionists’ published outside the US a few months ago concluded: among othersMany of those said to be anti-Zionists have in-depth knowledge of Jewish practices and history, some have attended Jewish day schools, and some have served as rabbis.

There is no reason to think that these findings in the US would not apply equally in Australia.

It’s no surprise that people express their anger at Israel’s actions. Weekly demonstrations for over 2.5 years are clear proof of this.

The Royal Commissioner and the majority of Jews in Australia will have to grapple with anti-Israel sentiments.

None of this excuses ‘real’ antisemitism. According to the latest Pew Research Center survey published recently in the USA, 60% of US adults have a negative opinion about Israel.

Majorities of adults under 50 across both political parties now view Israel and Netanyahu unfavorably, with six in ten having a very or somewhat unfavorable view of Israel. A survey in Australia is likely to parallel a survey in the United States.

The Royal Commissioner will find it difficult to make definitive findings as required by his role. There will be many Jews who, on their part, cannot explain why this so-called anti-Semitism exists, as distinct from what might be described as simple anti-Israel/anti-Zionist sentiment.

It’s an obvious question and the critical question about the elephant in the room that no one wants to ask is:

Why has this so-called and alleged antisemitism increased since October 7?

Ignoring the genocide. Bill regarding Australia’s silence has been introduced