Latest news with #Jewishness
AllAfrica
09-08-2025
- Politics
- AllAfrica
Why Israel's self-image changed from self-reliance to militarism
When the Zionist movement began to gather pace a century ago, many Jewish supporters wanted not just to create a political state for themselves, but to initiate a cultural revolution that would forge a new kind of Jewishness. Proud, self-reliant and resilient, the 'new Jew' was a reaction to centuries of bullying, culminating in the virulent antisemitism of the modern era. But, as I argue in my book, New Hebrews: Making National Culture in Zion, as Zionists set out to invent themselves anew, they also sowed the seeds of self-sabotage. Early pride and defiance, paired with disregard for the native Arabs of Palestine, bred both a survival instinct and a dangerous militarism. A look back at some of the principles of the Zionist revolution in the 20th century uncovers the cultural backstory to Israel's current situation. It shows how the same vision that built a strong nation also hardwired the divisions and antagonisms now threatening its democracy, security and place in the world. In this way, I argue that the logic behind Israel's alarming actions in Gaza, the rage with which it continues to come down on the Gazans following the October 7 attack almost two years ago, may be found in the country's history. The cultural revolution Zionists staged was an intensive project. It was a revolution so fervent that it altered the course of Jewish history and set in motion one of the most enduring transformations in a century crowded with radical changes. Many of the Zionist innovations were truly impressive. The ancient Hebrew of the Bible was used to create a completely modern literature and was later turned into a spoken language. The socialist leanings of early Zionists led them to experiment with new communal forms, such as the kibbutz. The old Jewish festival calendar was creatively updated in the spirit of modern nationalism. Zionists also created new artistic sensibilities in visual art and in music. They tapped into rich and diverse Jewish cultural traditions that spanned geographic regions. One innovation in particular, the physical transformation of the Jewish image, had profound consequences that continue to reverberate today as we see in the tragic war on Gaza. At the heart of the Zionist cultural revolution lay a determination to overturn centuries-old stereotypes of Jews as outcasts: weak, passive, cowardly. Drawing on European nationalist ideals, Zionists wanted to disprove these slanders by forging new Jewish men (men in particular): strong, productive and self-reliant. Israeli kibbutzim celebrate 'Bikurim', also known as the Festival of First Fruits, 1951. Israel Preker via the PikiWiki via Wikimedia Commons This remaking of the Jewish body was not merely symbolic. It was a deliberate strategy to reclaim visibility, dignity and respect. It was a quest that would have far-reaching consequences for Jews and non-Jews alike. The obsession with manual labor was both a necessity and an ideological cornerstone of Zionist ideology. It was the engine behind the remarkable growth of the Yishuv – (literally: settlement) – the Jewish community that developed in Palestine in the first half of the 20th century. Commonly referred to in quasi-military terms as the 'conquest of labor,' it romanticized agriculture and construction work as a moral and spiritual renewal. It was a rebuttal to the negative stereotype of Jews. But I believe it had a more problematic side. As Arab resistance to Zionist settlement grew, the new Jewish farmers evolved a military side as well. The inspiration for it came from two sources, from the fighting culture of local Bedouins, and from the Ukrainian Cossacks. This was an ironic twist given the violence Cossacks often directed at Jews. By 1948, both farmers and soldiers became two of Zionism's most distinct symbols, national ideals of productivity and physical force. Jewish defense forces (Haganah) training in March 1948, two months before the creation of the state of Israel. Kluger Zoltan/GPO, CC BY-SA But something unexpected happened to that evolution somewhere along the way. In their effort to create a new kind of Jew, Zionists in Israel distanced themselves from life in the Jewish diaspora – sometimes by internalising antisemitic notions of that life. One sad example was the chilly reception Holocaust survivors received in 1950s Israel. Some Jews born in what is now Israel, who were referred to as sabras (prickly pears), were arrogant enough to believe they would have fared better under the same circumstances than those caught up by the Holocaust, who they called sabonim (soap). By the 1980s, attempts to leave behind the so-called 'lachrymose history' of Jews – which viewed Jewish history primarily as a narrative of suffering and persecution – began to be supplanted. During and after the trial of Nazi war criminal Adolph Eichmann in 1961, Nazi persecution of Jews was linked first by Israeli Prime Minister Ben-Gurion and then journalists and academics with Arab resistance to the state of Israel. Both were eventually presented as examples of congenital hatred and used as a powerful argument for the establishment of the state and its right to exist. It was a dramatic combination, hard to resist, that connected the creation of the Jewish state with the near destruction of the Jews in the Holocaust – even if Zionism emerged long before that catastrophe. The baggage that was put aside in the rush to statehood, was now being opened. A reminder for Zionists that utopias are more easily written about than created – and that the pull of Jewish history is stronger than they thought. The resulting new mix was alarming: a combination of the Jewish power Zionism obtained with the old sense of Jewish victimhood that early Zionists had fought hard to eradicate. Consider this: in the aftermath of the October 7, 2023, attack, many people in Israel referred to it as a pogrom, a word that describes the sporadic massacres of Jews in Eastern Europe. Think about it. Israel, a rich and powerful country, well-connected and – until recently at least, generally well-liked – compared itself to a small, vulnerable and isolated Jewish shtetl (small settlement in eastern Europe) in a bygone world where Jews were utterly powerless. That one word, pogrom, explains it all. It wipes away 100 years of Zionist history and resurrects old Jewish grievances. This may be one explanation for the country's overreaction in Gaza. This is not an excuse, but an explanation that calls for the next evolutionary step in the history of Zionism – one in which Israel understands that it has achieved the goal for which it was established. Israel must realize it has power – that it is a power – and that with power comes responsibility. Yaron Peleg is Kennedy-Leigh professor of modern Hebrew studies, University of Cambridge This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
News18
01-08-2025
- Politics
- News18
‘Impossible To Teach Honestly': Historian Rashid Khalidi Quits Columbia University Over Trump Deal
Rashid Khalidi, a Palestinian-American historian, left Columbia University after its $200M settlement with the Trump administration. Prominent Palestinian-American historian Rashid Khalidi withdrew from teaching at Columbia University this fall, citing the university's recent $200 million settlement with the Trump administration over its handling of alleged antisemitism on campus. In an open letter published in The Guardian, Rashid Khalidi- who holds the title of Edward Said Professor Emeritus of Modern Arab Studies- announced his decision not to return as a 'special lecturer" this autumn, accusing the university of compromising academic freedom and capitulating to political pressure. What Rashid Khalidi Said On Quitting Columbia? Rashid Khalidi wrote, 'Although I have retired, I was scheduled to teach a large lecture course on this topic in the fall but I cannot do so under the conditions Columbia has accepted by capitulating to the Trump administration." Rashid Khalidi, who taught at Columbia for more than two decades before retiring in 2023, said the settlement would have profound consequences for academic integrity. 'Columbia chose to adopt a definition of antisemitism that conflates Jewishness with Israel, so that any criticism of Israel, or indeed description of Israeli policies, becomes a criticism of Jews. This makes it impossible to teach honestly about the creation of Israel or the genocide in Gaza perpetrated by Israel," he wrote. He warned that the measures agreed to by the university would suppress legitimate academic discourse and chill pro-Palestinian speech, saying, 'Faculty members, teaching assistants and students will be forced to constrain their speech to evade the fearsome apparatus that Columbia has erected to punish speech critical of Israel." Rashid Khalidi also condemned the decision to subject syllabi and scholarly work to external review, writing, 'Agreeing to submit the syllabuses and scholarship of prominent academics for review by outside actors is abhorrent." He concluded his letter with a stark indictment, asserting, 'Columbia's capitulation has turned a university that was once a site of free inquiry and learning into a shadow of its former self, an anti-university, a place of fear and loathing, where faculty and students are told from on high what they can say and teach, under penalty of severe sanctions." What Is Donald Trump's Deal With Columbia? The settlement includes sweeping measures: expansion of Columbia's Institute for Israel and Jewish Studies, a review of its Middle East curriculum and the appointment of an independent monitor who will report to the federal government. In addition to the $200 million payment, Columbia will pay $21 million to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to resolve civil rights complaints filed by Jewish faculty and staff. The agreement follows months of intense scrutiny by the Donald Trump administration, which accused several universities of allowing antisemitism to proliferate under the guise of pro-Palestinian protest, particularly in the wake of Israel's war in Gaza. Columbia, which saw some of the most visible student demonstrations in the US, has been widely viewed as a focal point in the administration's campaign to exert greater control over higher education. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Indian Express
01-08-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Prominent historian cancels Columbia University course over Trump deal
A well-known historian has cancelled a planned course at Columbia University, saying the school gave in to pressure from the Trump administration. Rashid Khalidi, the Edward Said professor emeritus of Modern Arab Studies at Columbia, announced the decision in an open letter published by The Guardian on Friday. 'Although I have retired, I was scheduled to teach a large lecture course on this topic in the fall as a 'special lecturer', but I cannot do so under the conditions Columbia has accepted,' he wrote. The letter refers to a $200 million agreement between Columbia University and the US government. In June, the Trump administration accused the university of not doing enough to address antisemitism during protests over the war in Gaza. Columbia also agreed to pay $21 mn to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission over alleged civil rights violations involving Jewish employees. As part of the deal, which will be overseen by an independent monitor, Columbia has promised to expand its Institute for Israel and Jewish Studies and review how it teaches about the Middle East. It will also cut some diversity programmes. The historian said that the university had accepted a definition of antisemitism that 'conflates Jewishness with Israel, so that any criticism of Israel, or indeed description of Israeli policies, becomes a criticism of Jews'. 'This definition makes it impossible to teach honestly about the creation of Israel or the genocide in Gaza perpetrated by Israel,' he wrote. Khalidi warned the deal would affect academic freedom and make students, lecturers, and teaching staff afraid to speak freely. Faculty members would have to 'constrain their speech in order to evade the fearsome apparatus that Columbia has erected to punish speech critical of Israel', he said, adding that agreeing to submit syllabi and scholarship for external review was 'abhorrent'. 'Columbia's capitulation has turned a university that was once a site of free inquiry and learning into a shadow of its former self,' he said. Khalidi taught at Columbia for more than 20 years before retiring last year.
The Age
11-07-2025
- Politics
- The Age
Antisemitism is one of many evils to eradicate
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
Sydney Morning Herald
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Antisemitism is one of many evils to eradicate
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
