australia 2008/9

 

There were 614 reports of incidents of "racist violence" against Jewish Australians in 2008, two-thirds of which were abusive and threatening emails. An unprecedented 214 reports were received in January 2009 alone, during Israel’s Operation Cast Lead.

 

the jewish community

The 115–120,000 Jews in Australia out of a total population of over 20 million constitute the largest Jewish community in the East Asia and Pacific Region. The great majority of Australian Jews live in Melbourne (50,000) and Sydney (45,000), but there are also significant communities in Perth, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Adelaide.

The elected representative organization of the Jewish community is the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) and the leading professional advocacy organization is the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council. The community is served by two Jewish weeklies and several other periodicals. High enrolment in Jewish day schools and a comparatively low rate of intermarriage characterize Australian Jewry.

 

Antisemitic organizations and groups

Radically anti-Israel individuals and organizations on the political left, which sometimes use offensive anti-Jewish imagery, are keen to assert that they are not antisemitic; even some far right and neo-Nazi groups publicly profess to be "anti-Zionist" rather than anti-Jewish, although the material they distribute belies such a distinction.

            The theme of an international Jewish conspiracy is central to the world view of overtly antisemitic organizations. Extremist elements within some migrant communities also promote this mythology as a means of explaining circumstances in their countries of birth. One of the sources antisemitic organizations use to support this myth is The Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion, which is advertised in many extreme right-wing and New Age publications. A subset of the above is the promotion of the claim that there was neither a Nazi genocide of Jews nor an attempt at one. The thesis presented, either explicitly or implicitly, is that Jews, sometimes with the help of sympathizers and sycophants, use popular belief in the Nazi Holocaust as a means of extorting sympathy, money and political gain.

 

The Far Right

A plethora of groups promote antisemitism in Australia, most of them tiny, but for many it is their raison d’être. Among them are conspiracy theorists identified with quasi New Age, Libyan-inspired "Third Way" and political Islamist philosophies. The Australian far right fringe is internally dynamic and in a constant state of flux. Those that promote, for example, a return to policies that actively disadvantage Indigenous Australians tend to oscillate between overtly antisemitic groups, populist movements and pseudo-militia organizations. Extremist elements of the anti-immigration movement also swing between these groups and neo-Nazi or quasi-nationalist movements. In some cases, antisemitic material published on the Internet or in the mainstream media is the work of individuals acting in the name of a group in which they are the only active member. The various antisemitic groups, such as the Australian League of Rights, the Adelaide Institute (prominent activists: Peter Hartung, also of Australia Free Press; Anthony Grigor-Scott, also of the Bible Believers; and Fredrick Toben), Southern Cross Soldiers, Volksfront Australia, Stormfront Downunder and Creativity South Australia (prominent activist: Cailen Cambeul), have a growing number of Internet sites that post views and newsletters, some of which are also available at news stands.

 

The Left Wing

For a number of years, extreme anti-Israel propaganda, including articles disputing Israel’s right to exist and blaming “Zionists” for many world problems, have been produced by left-wing groups, which have sometimes aligned themselves with anti-progressive, racist groups to further anti-Israel agendas. The Socialist Alliance and Democratic Socialist Perspective, for example, at this end of the political spectrum share with the far right a vigorous opposition to the "establishment" and what they perceive to be those with power. Anti-Americanism and contempt for liberal democracies is interlaced with conspiracy theories and by simplistic divisions of political forces into friends and enemies. Although there are some differences in the approach to Israel taken by these groups, the general attitude is that Israel is clearly in the camp of the enemy and is therefore a fair target for defamation and delegitimation.

 

The Arab and Muslim Community

Australia's Arabic-speaking community is large and vibrant. Jews are not a major concern or pre-occupation, but discussion of the Middle East can slip into the realm of religious and racial stereotyping. Despite public criticism, including some from prominent Islamic groups, such as the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils and the Bosnian Muslim Association, some Muslim bookshops, such as the Islamic Bookstore in Lakemba, Sydney, continue to stock antisemitic books and videos, such as copies of The Protocols of the Elders of Zion. In addition, there is concern that some imams and religious teachers propagate anti-Jewish myths, that some Muslims have contacts with elements in other countries known to be actively anti-Jewish, and that anti-Jewish propaganda is circulated among the Muslim population. While books overtly promoting terrorism are subject to official censorship, anti-Jewish material can be dealt with only under the various state and territory anti-racism legislation, which is generally not well-framed to deal with this type of situation. A paper delivered by Benjamin Kunde at the independent Australian Association of Jewish Studies Conference (February 2008), based on a survey of teenage Muslims in 2007, claimed many “modern Muslim Australian youth” hold strongly antisemitic views, with the swastika seen as a reminder of “good things” and belief in Jewish control of Australian government; Hizballah-type anti-Jewish slogans are common. Discussions on Islamic and Arabic Internet forums such as Islamic Sydney Forums and Muslim Australia and the content of postings to newsgroups testify to a vigorous anti-Jewish sub-culture.

Over the years, there has been a cross-pollination of ideology and material between some sections of the Australian Muslim community and extreme right political groups. Sharing the perception that Jews and/or Israel are a serious enemy, racist groups such as the Australian League of Rights have hosted speakers such as Keysar Trad of the Islamic Friendship Association.

Despite the above, the Jewish and Islamic communities in Australia enjoy a generally positive relationship and there is little evidence that anti-Jewish sentiment is widespread. At the public, leadership level, Muslim and Jewish Australians meet regularly, and promote understanding and tolerance. Joint declarations supplement condemnations of racism and discrimination. However, in December 2008-January 2009, a number of Muslim groups such as the Australian Intercultural Society, the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils and Affinity, which were involved in long-term ties with the Jewish community distributed offensive and/or misleading material which precipitated a re-evaluation of the nature of the relationship.

 

The Church

The way in which Church representatives discuss Israel and Middle East issues is sometimes a cause of considerable concern. The rhetoric emanating from the Palestinian Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center in Jerusalem, which has an active following in the Anglican Church, has included supercessionist language and tendentious discussions of events in Israel and the Middle East conflict that has carried over into Australian Church debate. Some Church leaders have leftist political agendas which can result in seepage of antisemitic language and material into religious discourse. For example, Churches of Christ minister Kevin Bray referred to Israel’s security barrier as an “apartheid wall,” and both he and Baptist minister Reverend Rod Benson compared Israel to Nazi Germany. It is important to emphasize that the attitude of mainstream Australian churches toward antisemitism is overwhelmingly hostile and that the most vocal condemnations of anti-Jewish prejudice in Australia often come from Church leaders or public figures connected to mainstream churches.

 

antisemitic activity

Violence, Vandalism, Harassment and Intimidation

There were 614 reports of incidents defined by the Australian Human Rights Commission as "racist violence" against Jewish Australians in 2008. These included physical assault, arson attacks, vandalism, threatening telephone calls, hate mail, graffiti, leaflets, posters and abusive electronic mail. This was the third highest total on record, well below the 2007 figure and just below the 2002 one.

Most of the reports were of threats, rather than physical attacks on persons or property, but hundreds of Jewish individuals and organizations were targeted, some repeatedly, by persons seeking to intimidate or harass them.

The ability of a person to remain anonymous and to send messages cheaply has made email the favored means of communicating hate messages; over two-thirds of all incidents reported in 2008 were abusive and/or threatening emails.

An unprecedented 214 reports were received in the month of January 2009 alone, during Israel’s Operation Cast Lead; over 180 of these were abusive antisemitic emails. As in December 2008, this month witnessed a number of public demonstrations at which virulently antisemitic placards were displayed and anti-Jewish slogans chanted, in both English and Arabic. The Jews were accused of being "Nazi-like," of committing "holocausts" and/or genocide, or of supporting "concentration camps” (see General Analysis).

 

Antisemitism in the Media and the Community

Over the past decade, representatives of the major parties have vigorously exposed any electoral contact between their opponents and political extremists, leading to the latter’s complete marginalization and electoral failure. However, anecdotal evidence suggests a weakening of social and cultural sanctions against overt racism. Reports from a number of schools revealed instances of anti-Jewish prejudice coming from both far-right and religious sources. There were also reports of anti-Jewish abuse on the sports field. Antisemitic stereotyping and insults are common on Internet forums linked to mainstream commercial enterprises.

There is considerable evidence gathered over that past two decades to support the contention that when Australian racists believe their activities are tolerated or even rationalized by seemingly authoritative sources such as the mainstream media, they are more likely to act on any antisemitism they already harbor. This is particularly the case when antisemitic views are broadcast on the governmental ABC (Australian Broadcasting Commission), as they see this as legitimizing their views.

Coverage of issues related to the Australian Jewish community by the mainstream media is extensive and out of all proportion to the community's size. Reporting is generally responsible and does not play unduly on the "Jewishness" of individuals or the issues. Israel receives wide but generally superficial coverage in the Australian mass media. The line presenting those responsible for the initiation of violence, as if they were the victims of unprovoked brutality, was taken by some representatives of the Australian media, often without reasoned analysis. Those who have broad antisemitic agendas have found this situation a useful pretext for voicing their anti-Jewish prejudices and incitement. Others who in other circumstances might oppose racism sometimes attributed racial characteristics to Jews.

Commentators and letter writers to the editor in mainstream media occasionally crossed the line from political analysis to anti-Jewish slander in discussions of the alleged strength of “Jewish lobbies” in both the US and Australia, as well as in some discussions of Israel. This paralleled the strong, if sometimes critical, support for Israel from political leaders of both government and opposition, and in the bipartisan vote celebrating Israel’s 60th anniversary.

Matters of specific concern to Australian Jewry, such as the extradition request by Hungary to Australia for alleged Nazi war criminal Charles Zentai, suspected of having murdered a young Jew in Budapest in 1944; the Federal Court contempt hearing process under the Racial Hatred Act concerning Holocaust denier Fredrick Toben; and the Australian Parliament’s motion congratulating Israel on its 60th anniversary, were discussed publicly in a manner that was generally free of prejudice.

Attempts to delegitimize Israel and Zionism, conducted by public advocates of the Palestinians, included extreme allegations against Israel and Judaism. In addition,

supporters of the former regime of Saddam Husayn in Iraq and the Islamist regime in Iran used whatever opportunities that were presented to them to level such charges against Israel, Zionism and, on occasion, Jewry. For example, after being quoted by a number of journalists as having said that the antisemitic blood libel was a legitimate part of the Middle East debate, Roland Jabbour of the high-profile Australian Arabic Council claimed in August that, “The false charge of antisemitism by some is used to silence and blackmail those who dare to criticize the Zionist self-righteous and lawless child, the state of Israel. It is designed to frighten those who dare to engage in and encourage honest debate about these important matters… Israel continues its aggression while claiming self-defense: a right usually reserved for the victims of aggression – and the same right Israel denies its own victims.”

            The most common theme in contemporary Australian antisemitic rhetoric is that Jews in Australia and/or internationally, individually and/or collaboratively, exercise disproportionate power and influence against the interests of non-Jews. However, while Australian Jews have historically been blamed by extremist organizations and their followers for contentious federal and state policies on social matters, financial programs and the weakening of establishment institutions, there were few attempts to blame Jews for the 2008-9 global financial crisis.

The staging of a re-enactment of the Stations of the Cross, during the 2008 Papal visit to Sydney, raised issues regarding anti-Jewish stereotypes and prejudice, but the Catholic Church and the Jewish community were successful in minimizing this potential harm.

 

Responses to racism and antisemitism

Over the past six years, most state and territory legislatures have passed motions condemning racism, calling for reconciliation and affirming the values of tolerance and diversity. National Harmony Day, instituted by the federal government on UN Day for the Elimination of Racism, is generally used to honor individuals and organizations that have been active in promoting Australian multiculturalism.

A law enacted in 1995 and administered by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission seeks to conciliate complaints of racial harassment and vilification. If conciliation is not achieved, hearings take place and penalties can be ordered. While details are not made public, at least seven formal complaints regarding antisemitism were lodged with the Commission during the first years of the new law, and the determinations are beginning to provide indications of the usefulness of the law in dealing with antisemitism (Holocaust denial as a form of racism; the internet covered by Australian law; religious and political freedom of expression not a license for pseudo-religious or quasi-political hate speech).

All Australian states and the Australian Capital Territory have legislation supplementary to the federal anti-racism act. The success and utility of these laws is a matter of ongoing debate. The Australian Broadcasting Authority sets and enforces broad community standards. The complexities of applying the various procedures to the real-time world of electronic media, however, renders it problematic as an agency for combating racism and antisemitism. In most cases of antisemitism in the print media, the newspapers and magazines involved have published letters of protest by readers, although they themselves rarely acknowledge any fault on their part. Individuals who are victims of more extreme acts of antisemitic intimidation have recourse to laws other than those specified above. A variety of sporting bodies have introduced anti-racism codes of conduct during recent years.

The federal government has been active in international forums opposing antisemitism and promoting education against racism. The government has taken part in all the Stockholm International Forums since their inception in 2000. Both the federal and state governments have supported a range of projects of Jewish communal organizations designed to reduce prejudice. Politicians from the major political parties have repeatedly condemned antisemitism and chastised their political opponents for not being sufficiently pro-active in combating antisemitism.

Together with the government of Indonesia, Australia initiated Asia/Pacific Regional Interfaith Dialogues, with the inaugural dialogue taking place in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, in December 2004. They have proven to be excellent opportunities for the promotion of programs designed to break down inter-religious stereotyping and to promote cooperation in the cause of communal harmony. The 2008 session was held in Cambodia.

During 2008, the Senate of Australia commenced a general inquiry into academic freedom, as a result of which Jewish students began to relate negative and hostile experiences they had on campus. These included the introduction into classrooms of extraneous and tendentious material critical of the Jewish community of Australia and/or Israel, disparaging remarks regarding names of students thought to indicate they were Jewish, teaching on Israel which distorted Jewish history and beliefs, and blogs maintained by academics which promoted and hosted extreme anti-Israel and often anti-Jewish material. In most cases, the individuals responsible for creating such an atmosphere were oriented towards the political left, with a minority from Muslim or Arab backgrounds. Despite anti-racist policies in place on most campuses, there have also been reports of perpetrators of overt antisemitic acts not facing any negative consequences for their activities.