Jewish advocacy organisations respond to Segal’s landmark report

Organisations within the Australian Jewish community have had mixed reactions to the plan to combat antisemitism handed down by Special Envoy Jillian Segal today.

For some, the recommendations represent a strong and much-needed response to the antisemitism crisis, while others have questioned its efficacy and suggest it will limit legitimate criticism of Israel.

The Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) "strongly endorsed" the plan, with President Daniel Aghion commenting that it is "very well considered" and "fully aligned with the ECAJ’s thinking and our community‘s expectations".

“It is evident that much research and thought has gone into this document over many months. Its release could not be more timely given the recent appalling events in Melbourne. The actions which the plan call for are now urgently needed," Aghion said, calling on all sectors of society to co-operate with the plan.

“We thank the Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs for standing with the Jewish community at this time and look forward to working with the government to help make antisemitism a thing of the past.”

The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) called on the government to adopt and implement the plan in full “vigorously as a matter of urgency”.

AIJAC Executive Director Colin Rubenstein said the plan “would be welcome at any time, but events of the past week have highlighted how serious the antisemitism problem in Australia remains, and the urgency of strong and determined government action to do more about it".

"The heightened antisemitism crisis in this country has now persisted for some 21 months, at terrible costs to national social cohesion, so there is no time to waste. The recommendations in the envoy’s report should not only be adopted in full, but then acted on with all possible vigour by the government."