Antisemitism is one of many evils to eradicate

The Age

11-07-2025

News is welcome that education will be a central element in the aim to reduce antisemitism in Australia (' Unis are getting an antisemitism report card. They're thinking about it ', July 11). In some sectors (well beyond universities), criticism of Israel's current far-right government has clearly allowed old prejudices to be unleashed. The political ideology of Zionism should not be lazily conflated with cultural and/or religious 'Jewishness'. It is also true that the suffering of the stateless Palestinians living under Israeli occupation flew under the radar of the world's media for far too long and continues to be under-reported, with rare exceptions. These include Israel's oldest newspaper, Haaretz, in which criticism of extremists within the Israeli government is consistent. There is an urgent need for people of all ages to understand how abhorrent all forms of dehumanising activities are, whoever practises or condones them. There are particular dangers to peace and co-existence when religious extremism (including Christian, Jewish and Muslim) bolsters ultranationalist aims. Bigotry is eased only through truth-telling, with equal ethical standards demanded for all in power. There are no victors here. Stephanie Dowrick, Pyrmont
Chip Le Grand (' Response to report will show how deep the poison runs ', July 11) nails a key issue in discussing Israel: the tendency for it to instantly become black and white, denying the existence or rights of Palestinians or Jews. This allows the festering of hatred, as the denial of atrocities by one side or the other, despite the obvious evidence of what is in the news, undermines trust in those who propagate denial of reality.
It's not just Australian society in trouble here. For 80 years, the West has claimed a monopoly on human rights, free expression, democracy and justice, and the leading claimant was the US government. Who can honestly believe in this leadership when the US is led by a president who arms a nation accused of genocide, refuses intermittently to arm a nation fighting against invasion, and who has unleashed ICE officers to lock up and deport potentially millions of people living in the US without any judicial process?
All people should oppose racism and that includes racism against first Australians, and yet we've spent the past 30 years engaged in a culture war over their place in their own country. I hope for peace and understanding in this nation between all people of all cultures and faiths, and that peace starts with honesty, not denial. Colin Hesse, Nowra
Jillian Segal would have us accord special protections to Jewish people by thought control and cancel culture in universities. Visceral hatred of things Jewish is as abhorrent as hatred of any other vulnerable minority, and we live in an age in which anger and rushing to judgment seem normalised. We need to be more reasonable in our discussions of all complex issues, we need to enforce the law when violence replaces reason, but do we want to live in a society that singles out any minority for special treatment? The singular treatment of minorities was the basis for apartheid. Ian Bowie, Bowral
Is there anything in Jillian Segal's report that indicates that, if Benjamin Netanyahu stopped the indiscriminate bombing of Gaza, that antisemitic feelings may subside? Geoff Wannan, Dawes Point
Just a few years ago the Coalition and the backers of the antisemitism report were fighting tooth and nail to get rid of section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act, our anti-discrimination legislation. The idea that suddenly they're all for censorship, but only as it relates to discrimination against their interests, goes a long way to understanding the current problem. What does the anti-Islamophobia envoy have to say on the matter?
Phil Bradshaw, Naremburn
In the interests of balance, let's do the same for Islamophobia, rubbishing Christians, Indigenous disadvantage, scaremongering people of African background, homophobia, suspicion of anyone of Chinese background – the list goes on. Or does this whole thing take us a bridge too far? An examination of existing criminal and anti-discrimination laws might demonstrate that we already have the relevant issues covered. Meredith Williams, Baulkham Hills
Jewish people make up a mere 0.46 per cent of our population. Australia is home to more than a million Muslims. There is longstanding enmity between Judaism and Islam, but it has not, in the main, found expression in Australia until recently. Many Muslims and other Australians are now protesting, as is their right, about against Israel's relentless destruction of and loss of life in Gaza. In the same way that Australian Muslims experienced a severe backlash after the 9/11 bombings in New York, antisemitic hatred has now emerged in response to events overseas. Antisemitic violence and intimidation are wrong, but the special envoy's recommendations are out of order. All Australians, including Jews and Muslims, are amply protected under existing laws. Irene Buckler, Glenwood
Your editorial (' No excuse for antisemitism in Australia ', July 11) was thoughtful and well-argued. With one caveat. It concluded with the confident assertion that through consultation and due process, our democracy 'ensures government will … push antisemitism to the edges'. If only. The top-down measures that have been suggested are critical. Such a push also requires bottom-up awareness that disavows anti-Jewish racism at grassroots level: around the dinner table, at the pub, in civil society. Both tracks are essential to stop it becoming the new normal. Vic Alhadeff, Darlinghurst
We needed Jillian Segal's report as a wake-up call. If we thought the rash of antisemitic incidents was occasionally jarring to our civil society, she joins the dots. We should recognise how deeply the damage has been inflicted. The historical burden still weighs heavily, even if it often goes unrecognised by younger people. Today, antisemitism is being deliberately generated and weaponised, including by criminal elements. It may not be clear who actually gains by it (not even Palestinian supporters), but the hurt to one section of Australian society harms us all. Criticism of Israel's conduct of the war in Gaza is fair comment. Permitting, at times indulging, expression of naked hatred towards any of our fellow human beings is not. It erodes the trust and self-worth of all of us. Margaret Johnston, Paddington
Congratulations to Jillian Segal for preparing and presenting to the government a detailed report about the raging antisemitism in Australia and suggestions how to combat it. Hopefully, the government will take notice of these recommendations and implement them.
Words are not enough to fight these criminal acts. There need to be consequences – criminal investigations are not enough if they are not followed by proper and appropriate criminal charges. Hate demonstrations shouldn't be allowed week after week. School children shouldn't be exposed to radicalised teachers and Jewish children or students shouldn't be suffering in these educational institutions. I strive to hope there could be a positive outcome for the Jewish community if the government acts quickly and properly.
Judy Davies, Rose Bay
Why does the ultimatum to Australian institutions sound so similar to the Trump administration's attack on universities in the US? As one who grew up with the children of Holocaust survivors, I see an obvious need to understand those events and their consequences. However, the same may be said about the realities of the creation of the modern state of Israel and the razing of Gaza. We need to develop empathy in our society that extends to all those who experience persecution, hatred and violence. Philip Cooney, Wentworth Falls
Jillian Segal's report will be controversial in its definition of antisemitism and its remedies, with some seeing threats to free speech. What is not controversial is her naming the misinformation on social media as responsible. The world has become an angrier place because of social media algorithms stoking outrage, about all sorts of issues. It has allowed the rise of people like Trump and Musk, a situation that would have been unthinkable in 2000. Sitting down to calmly discuss things has become well-nigh impossible. It is encouraging that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the government will take time to carefully consider this report. The broader issue of the dangers from social media awaits legislation. Gary Barnes, Mosman
By looking at antisemitism and Islamophobia separately, we are just perpetuating the mentality of us and them. We need to put all vilification together as actions against our common humanity. This will bring people together instead of constantly dividing them.
Joseph Lee, Belfield
Complete contempt for humanity
The pepper spraying of a screaming, naked woman is totally abhorrent (' Police bashed, pepper-sprayed screaming naked woman on Sydney street ', July 11). Abhorrent also is the fact that one of the police involved shared the camera footage with a friend. That the police continue to brutalise people from old ladies with butter knives to Aboriginal men thought to be shoplifting, while wearing cameras capturing their deeds, shows a complete contempt for the humanity of the people with whom they are interacting and a lack of fear of being brought to book for their actions. Clearly psychometric testing for police force inductees does not include testing for compassion. Genevieve Milton, Dulwich Hill
There is no excuse for the treatment of the woman in need by two young (now ex) police officers and they must continue to be held accountable for their completely unacceptable actions. However, the long-term effects on first responders in the course of their jobs is again highlighted. First responders face the initial brunt of our difficult world and family violence, addiction, self-medication, suicide and a failure to show real empathy in future situations can result for responders. Our community must continue to assist first responders in their own mental health to enable them to assist others when in even greater need. Janice Creenaune, Austinmer
This appalling event almost defies belief. Initially, the fact that this abused woman, already diagnosed with schizophrenia, was released, unmedicated from prison. Into what? The 'care of the community'? Then to be assaulted by two NSW serving police officers, one who later shared video footage of this vileness with others. The actions of these two individuals, armed and in uniform, were calculated and revolting. The consequences should wholly and absolutely mirror the gravity of their crimes. Pauline McGinley, Drummoyne
New tunnel may help bridge lanes
Correspondent Nick Andrews suggests a moveable traffic barrier to separate opposing direction traffic on the Harbour Bridge (Letters, July 10). The bridge lanes are already very narrow for a main road. Our governments have long chosen to retain the traffic capacity and tolls of eight lanes rather than lose a lane to a mobile barrier. Perhaps the Harbour Bridge will be reduced to seven lanes when the Western Harbour Tunnel opens.
A community demand north of the harbour has long been to revive and complete the Northern Beaches Railway which once crossed the east side of the bridge. A first stage from Wynyard to Neutral Bay Junction would mean we have six cross-harbour rail tracks and commuter buses will no longer need to cross the bridge and clog up the northern end of the CBD.
The bridge was built for four train tracks, four road lanes, pedestrians and cyclists. Given its safety issues and to protect its heritage long term, the Western Distributor traffic should be directed to another cross-harbour tunnel. Peter Egan, Mosman
Blame climate change
Texas resident Lorena Guillen says that 'as a Catholic' she views the recent floods as an act of God (' In flooded Texas, I saw the best of America – and the parts that make you shake your head ', July 11). 'I believe God does things the way he does, and he's the only one who knows why. But there is a reason.' As a Catholic she should know that God acts through secondary causes. Among those causes are the well-known laws of physics, including those that govern climate change. The basics of these laws have been known since the nineteenth century. Rather than blame some mysterious will of God, better to blame our collective stupidity in failing to deal with the problem of climate change in the first place. Neil Ormerod, Kingsgrove
Massive tax-free windfall
A correspondent writes how therapeutic paying off a mortgage is, knowing that it benefits a person every future day (Letters, July 11). The last part is beyond question but what was not said is that when the house is sold, there will be a massive tax-free windfall; no capital gains tax. Generational advantage and disadvantage are locked in with this system. I am sure it was an oversight by the correspondent, but this aspect has to be spoken about if there is to be a debate on the tax issues related to housing. Joe Weller, Mittagong
Are the people who predict interest rate cuts the same people who predict NSW State of Origin victories? Michael Deeth, Como West
Aim low for Blues success
Memo to Laurie Daley, NSW Origin coach: teach your players how to tackle (' The Seven Deadly Sins that Proved Fatal for NSW Hopes ', July 11). Perhaps a few sessions with a junior rugby union coach may help. When I was a young rugby player, the mantra was: 'Round the sock-tops'. Even the most celebrated league players seem incapable of effective tackling, unless it's part of a three-man grapple-tackle. In open play, they will always try to take the runner head-on and around the shoulders, and inevitably end up on the grass, as the runner easily evades them. Go low, fellas, and maybe you won't surrender so many tries to your opponents. Stuart Laurence, Cammeray
Simple tax extraction
A consideration in the debate about raising the GST is that it is the only means of taxing over four million retirees who live entirely off their superannuation or government pension. (' Don't worry, politics forbids GST rise ', July 11). Those with large tax-free superannuation should be contributing more rather than relying on young taxpayers to subsidise the services they increasingly require. An increase in the GST and possibly broadening its base would be one relatively simple means of extracting more tax. A conservative government was responsible for introducing the tax, so one imagines that a bi-partisan agreement should be possible. Geoff Harding, Chatswood