Article published on-line in the Australian Financial Review on 15 December and inprint on 17 December 2025, p. 31, https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/what-australia-must-do-now-to-confront-antisemitism-20251215-p5nnpb Australians are proud of our social cohesion, respect
How did we get to here? This weird, startling, savage, ‘new normal’ of anti-Jew hatred?
A lot is being asked of Israelis, the Jewish diaspora, and friends right now.
Australian public opinion in favour of recognition of a state of Palestine is clear. Continuing opposition could merely hasten a form of recognition that would be tantamount to an empty gesture. What is now required is for those genuinely seeking a two-state solution, that enables Palestinians and Israelis to live side-by-side in peace, is to provide a robust, realist edge to what Foreign Minister Wong calls the “matter of when, not if” decision.
The IHRA definition does no more than recognise that anti-Zionism may or may not be antisemitic in its motivation or effects. It nearly always depends on how points are made, content and context.
With a Gaza ceasefire imminent, Australia could play a role in constructively aiding the peace process. Despite recent controversies at home, Australia is still among Israel’s strongest supporters east of Jerusalem. Only the Pacific atoll nations are more supportive.
Speech on Sunday 15 December 2024 to the ‘Together with Israel’ rally in Martin Place, Sydney.
Speech given at the NSW ALP Conference on 27 July 2024 on an amendment to the ‘Australia and the World’ report. Delegates. First principles. Any
Shlomo Avineri who died on 1 December 2023 was one of Israel’s most outstanding public intellectuals.
Diplomacy involves listening, learning, empathy, and articulating the national interest, underpinned by core values.