The Jewish Council of Australia will today give evidence to the Senate’s Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee inquiry into right wing extremist movements in Australia. 

The Jewish Council ​​is an independent expert Jewish voice opposing antisemitism and racism. Formed in response to rising antisemitism and racism, and Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza, the Council includes Jewish academics, lawyers, writers, and teachers who are experts on antisemitism and racism. 

We are alarmed at the rise in antisemitism in Australia and highlight that this is linked to the rise in Islamophobia, anti-Palestinian racism and the normalisation of discourses of dehumanisation. We are particularly concerned about the rise in neo-Nazi activities, fascism and far right extremism. We will also be sharing with the inquiry our concerns about the drift to the far right by pro-Israel Jewish organisations in Australia. 

Sarah Schwartz, Human Rights Lawyer and Executive Officer of the Jewish Council of Australia

“We are concerned about active neo-nazi organising across Australia, particularly in Victoria where groups have been building chapters in regional centres. Funded by the far right internationally, they are aiming to build a rural homestead base and have been training themselves for violence.”

“We are witnessing a worrying drift to the far right by pro-Israel Jewish organisations in this country who rely on anti-Palestinian racism to justify their support for Israel. They do not care who they ally with and obviously do not care about fighting racism in Australia. Their use of dehumanising language against Palestinians, and attempt to drive a wedge between Jewish, Muslim and Palestinian communities, contributes towards increasing rather than decreasing antisemitism.”

Dr Max Kaiser, Historian and Executive Officer of the Jewish Council of Australia
“We know that racism and antisemitism are on the rise in Australia but that the only way to effectively fight antisemitism is by committing to work in partnership with other groups facing bigotry and discrimination, and to fight all forms of racism. We see the rise in antisemitism as linked to the rise in Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism, and the normalisation of a language of dehumanisation.” 

“We are particularly concerned about media platforming of extremist groups like the Australian Jewish Association, which has been broadly denounced as a far-right group aligned with extremist Israeli settler movements. The AJA frequently spread extreme racism against Palestinians online. This week, the AJA are hosting an event with the fascist Israeli politician Moshe Feiglin who openly advocates for the ethnic cleansing of Gaza and has previously stated his admiration for Hitler and Nazi Germany and called Palestinians ‘parasites’.”

Media contact:

0493 970 412

jewishcouncil@jewishcouncil.com.au

Background

Dr Max Kaiser and Sarah Schwartz from the Jewish Council of Australia are scheduled to give evidence today from 11.15am to 12.00pm.

Their evidence can be watched here: https://www.aph.gov.au/News_and_Events/Watch_Read_Listen?watchParliamentOn=17/06/2024&tab=tab1a#WatchParliament