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Jewish Council of Australia
AbbreviationJCA
Formation2024
Purpose
  • Representation for non-Zionist Australian Jews
  • Support of Palestinian freedom and justice
  • Opposition to Israel's continued policies aimed at the destruction of Palestinian life.
HeadquartersMelbourne
Executive Officer
Sarah Schwartz
Dr Max Kaiser
Elizabeth Strakosch
Websitewww.jewishcouncil.com.au

The Jewish Council of Australia (JCA) is an Australian Jewish community organisation, founded in February 2024. It was founded to represent non-Zionist Australian Jews[1] and oppose antisemitism and racism.[2] Its supporters have been said to "align with the left" and the group itself has taken many left-wing positions, including being extremely critical of Israel's actions in the Israel–Hamas war.[3][4]

Structure

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The JCA is co-led by human rights lawyer, Sarah Schwartz and historian Dr Max Kaiser.[5][6] Notable members of the advisory committee include Louise Adler, Rhonda Galbally and Professor Clare Wright.[6]

History

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The JCA was founded in February 2024 by self-described progressive Jews.[7][5]

In May 2024, the JCA stated their support for Fatima Payman when she described the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip as a "genocide".[8]

In July 2024, the JCA described the Executive Council of Australian Jewry as being a "right-wing Zionist group" in statements to a Senate committee on right-wing extremism. In response, the ECAJ described the JCA as "a micro-group which represents only a thin sliver of opinion on the far-left margins of the Australian Jewish community" and "far-left". Kaiser stated in response that the JCA does not claim to be representative of all Jews in Australia.[4]

In September 2024, the JCA gave evidence to a Senate inquiry on antisemitism, stating their opposition to the Coalition's proposed legislation relating to antisemitism.[9] In the written submission the JCA came out against the bill as "to establish a Commission of Inquiry into Antisemitism considering its potential to create a hierarchy of categories of racism, exacerbate division, and undermine collaborative, multicultural, multi-faith efforts to tackle racism.""[10]

Positions

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When they launched, founding Executive Officer Sarah Schwartz said that many Jewish organisations do not recognise that Jews in Australia have diverse views on Israel and that many support a ceasefire. She said that it is not antisemitic to criticise Israel's "unprecedented violence" against Palestinians.[11] The group has stated their opposition to legislating the IHRA definition of antisemitism.[1][12] The JCA has repeatedly criticised what it classifies as conflation of criticism of Israel with antisemitism. In February 2024 it criticised speakers at a rally in support of Israel for "weaponising the Holocaust" and treating criticism of Israel as antisemitic, and in May 2024 stated that claims of antisemitism were "being used to crack down on legitimate political expression and peaceful protests on campuses" in relation to pro-Palestinian protests on university campuses.[12][13] The JCA also criticised the Albanese government for appointing Jillian Segal as special envoy on antisemitism, stating that she would be unable to differentiate between criticism of Israel and antisemitism.[7]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Nearly 80 per cent of Australian Jews are Zionist. What does that mean?". ABC News. 14 February 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  2. ^ "Jewish Council Australia - Home". Jewish Council of Australia. Archived from the original on 5 July 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  3. ^ Stone, Deborah. "Who speaks for Australian Jews? - The Jewish Independent". The Jewish Independent. Archived from the original on 20 July 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  4. ^ a b Visontay, Michael. "ECAJ attacks unrepresentative Jewish advocacy – but selectively - The Jewish Independent". The Jewish Independent. Archived from the original on 23 July 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  5. ^ a b Dumas, Daisy (31 March 2024). "A fresh Jewish voice: the new Australian group opposing antisemitism – and Israel's conduct". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 16 May 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Jewish Council Australia - About Us". Jewish Council of Australia. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Anthony Albanese announces antisemitism envoy, says Jewish people 'do not feel safe'". SBS News. Archived from the original on 10 July 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  8. ^ "'From the river to the sea': Labor senator breaks ranks to accuse Israel of genocide". SBS News. Archived from the original on 23 July 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  9. ^ "Jewish Council of Australia to speak at Senate inquiry today opposing Coalition's divisive antisemitism Bill". Jewish Council of Australia. 19 September 2024. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  10. ^ "Public Hearings - Inquiry into a Commission of Inquiry into Antisemitism at Australian Universities Bill 2024 (No. 2)". www.aph.gov.au. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  11. ^ Jacobs, Narelda (8 February 2024). "Interview with Sarah Schwartz, Jewish Council of Australia". 10NewsFirst. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  12. ^ a b Carr, Cameron (2 May 2024). "This country is set to broaden its definition of antisemitism. Some critics say it goes too far". SBS News. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  13. ^ Wong, Kat (19 February 2024). "'Anti-Semitic' rally weaponised memory: Jewish council". The Canberra Times. Archived from the original on 19 February 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
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