Make your vote meaningful

Many Jewish Australians have been sold a lie this election. They have been told that rising antisemitism and controversial Israel-Palestine policy mean they have no choice but to reject the Labor government. Such a claim is self-serving Liberal politicking.

Like all Australians, Jews should vote for whichever government we believe best represents our interests and the interests of the society to which we belong. Very few Jews will vote for Pauline Hanson’s One Nation given its hostility to minorities, and very few will vote Greens given the party’s hostility to Israel and insensitivity to Australian Jews.
 
But between these extremes, we may legitimately vote left or right, according to our beliefs; select major or minor parties or independents according to who we think will best represent us; and vote ideologically or strategically, as we choose.  

There is not a significant difference between the major parties’ policies on antisemitism, and the differences in foreign policy are neither substantive nor impactful. Neither the experience of antisemitism faced by Jewish Australians nor the conflict in Israel-Palestine is likely to change as a result of who wins this election.  

It is not sensible to allow our passions about foreign policy or our fears about antisemitism to swamp our assessments of the core issues that are at stake: economic policy, environmental management, and which government is most likely to build an equitable, safe and cohesive society.