As the world grapples with rising antisemitism, a progressive Jewish organisation in Australia has sounded the alarm on the pernicious effect of conflating Jewish identity with the State of Israel. The Jewish Council of Australia (JCA), representing 2,500 members, warns that this conflation – exacerbated by far-right extremism and Israeli actions – is fuelling hatred towards Jewish people worldwide. In a submission to an Australian royal commission investigating antisemitism, the JCA urges policymakers to shift focus from individual Jewish representatives to the broader, often-overlooked threat of right-wing ideologies.
The JCA's executive officer, Sarah Schwartz, highlights that 'the resurgent Australian far-right' has become a breeding ground for antisemitism, exploiting Jewish suffering to justify attacks on migrant and minority communities. This trend is mirrored in the UK, where rising far-right extremism and Islamist terrorism have increased security concerns for British Jews. The JCA's submission explicitly cites two primary drivers of antisemitism: 'the growth of far-right, neo-Nazi and conspiracist movements' and 'the aggressive actions of the State of Israel and conflation of Jewish identity with Israel'. This conflation has been cultivated by Israel itself, resulting in direct harm to Jewish people worldwide who are scapegoated for Israeli actions.
The debate surrounding identification with Israel is complex and multifaceted. While some Australian Jews strongly identify with Israel, others have testified that Jewish Australians should not be held accountable for the actions of the Israel Defense Force or the Israeli government. Vic Alhadeff, former chief executive of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, made this point during recent royal commission hearings. Conversely, Jewish people in the UK face growing concerns about their safety due to increased antisemitic incidents linked to Middle Eastern conflicts.
Australia's special envoy to combat antisemitism, Jillian Segal, has informed the commissioner that conflation of the Israeli government with Jewish people is the nation's 'fastest-growing' form of antisemitism. The royal commission has received over 16,000 submissions, which will be scrutinised in upcoming hearings scheduled from June 29 to July 10. A particular emphasis will be placed on media and social media, highlighting the need for policymakers to address the role these platforms play in fuelling hate speech.
The JCA's submission calls for a fundamental shift in focus towards addressing right-wing extremism, rather than relying solely on Jewish representatives as ambassadors for Israel. As the UK navigates its own challenges with antisemitism and far-right ideologies, policymakers would do well to heed the JCA's warning: conflating Jewish identity with Israel only serves to exacerbate hatred towards Jewish people.