Australian J-Com responds to Israel’s attack on Iran and government sanctions

The range of views within the Australian Jewish community about Israel and its government has been a subject of intense scrutiny since October 7, 2023.

Two unrelated but politically divisive events during the past month have offered important insights into their positions and sympathies. The first was Australia’s decision to sanction two Israeli ministers over their public statements, and the second, beginning a few days later, was Israel’s attack on Iran and the US bombing of its nuclear assets.

The Jewish Independent has looked at the responses from six key advocacy groups from across the political spectrum – the Zionist Federation of Australia (ZFA), the Australia Israel Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC), the Executive Council for Australian Jewry (ECAJ), the Jewish Council of Australia (JCA), New Israel Fund Australia (NIF) and the Australian Jewish Association (AJA).

While most of their responses were consistent with previous positions adopted since the brutal Hamas attacks, two striking sentiments did emerge: concerns on the Left over Israel’s attack on Iran, and criticism on the Right over the behaviour of the extremist Israeli ministers.

A few days before the Israel-Iran war began, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced the government had issued sanctions against Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, accusing them of inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. Under a joint action by the Australian, British, Canadian, New Zealand and Norwegian governments, the pair would face travel bans and have their assets frozen.

Notably, both the ZFA and AIJAC expressed their own condemnation of the two men while rejecting the sanctions as a double standard that has not been applied to extremist politicians from other countries.

“The ZFA has consistently and publicly over a long period of time condemned the rhetoric and positions espoused by Ministers Smotrich and Ben-Gvir,” said ZFA CEO Jeremy Leibler, who then added: “This decision highlights a troubling double standard given that no extremist members of the unelected Palestinian Authority are subject to similar sanctions.”

AIJAC expressed a similar view: “AIJAC finds many statements by Smotrich and especially Ben-Gvir insupportable and we share the government’s concern about settler violence against West Bank Palestinians and call on Israeli authorities to do more to stop them," wrote Executive Director Colin Rubenstein.

“However, there are many leaders of the Palestinian Authority, Iran, Turkey, and Qatar who are saying things at least as inflammatory, if not more so. Yet there is no discussion of sanctioning any of them. It seems clear that it is only because of pressure from anti-Israel obsessives inside and outside of government – and not only in Australia, but also in the other countries involved in this sanctions plan.”

Alex Ryvchin, co-CEO of ECAJ, said: “We dislike these two politicians, just like 90% of Israelis who didn’t vote for them. But sanctioning the politicians of a democratic ally will not contribute to peace when there is a war in Gaza and the obstacle to peace has always been Palestinian violence and rejection of a negotiated end to conflict.”

The AJA linked the sanctions to the rejection of a visa for an American-Israeli speaker. “The Australian Jewish Association is appalled by reports that the Albanese government is imposing sanctions on ministers of the Israeli government. This action represents a hostile and unjustified attack on a democratic ally,” said CEO Robert Gregory.

“[It] follows the recent banning of Hillel Fuld from entering Australia, an unprecedented move that further underscores Labor's fixation on undermining Israel and marginalising the Jewish community.”

The left-wing groups NIF and JCA, however, welcomed the sanctions. “The recent settler violence against Palestinian West Bank villages, followed by the IDF’s actions, shows that the policies as well as the speeches of far-right ministers such as Ben-Gvir and Smotrich are enabling extremists and, if left unchecked, have the potential to destroy the democratic foundations of Israel,” said Kate Rosenberg, Executive Director of NIF.

Co-CEO of the JCA, Sarah Schwartz, said: “I think it's really important [we] see Australia join with these other countries and take these steps and join these alliances in a way that is separate from what the US is doing in this moment. We have to remember that these are two ministers who have made statements calling for the annihilation of Gaza and have called for new settlements in the West Bank.

“It's positive to see that our government is taking a stand and showing that we are committed to international law, we are committed to human rights.”

Israel’s attack against Iran’s nuclear facilities and the 12-day war that followed set the world on edge over where the conflict might lead.

The long-established community advocacy groups declared unequivocal support for the military action by both Israel and the US, while those on the Left expressed concern over the potential for an escalation of violence.

“The Zionist Federation of Australia (ZFA) stands in full solidarity with Israel and the United States, and thanks all those working to confront the Iranian regime’s aggression and protect global security. We hope these actions help pave the way for a more stable and peaceful Middle East,” said Jeremy Leibler.

Alex Ryvchin (ECAJ) stated: “The United States and Israel clearly calculated that Iran would never be subdued through diplomacy alone and the time to act was now… the world is safer with a severely weakened Iranian regime and it has been achieved through Israeli daring and sacrifice. We live in the hope that with this necessary act of force, the path to a peaceful Middle East is distinctly clearer.”

“AIJAC views the Israeli military actions launched against Iran’s nuclear program... as thoroughly justified by both the IAEA finding of Iranian breaches of its Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty obligations... and Iran’s blatant aggression against Israel over recent years,” wrote Executive Director Colin Rubenstein.

The far-right AJA went even further in its rhetoric: "AJA joins the free world in supporting Israel's strikes on the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Ayatollahs will never be allowed to have nuclear weapons. The Albanese government has consistently taken the side of terrorist groups and dictatorships but now is the time to come out in full support of our ally, Israel, as it makes the world a safer place,” said Robert Gregory.

By contrast, NIF was more guarded and expressed concern about the possibility of a larger conflict. “Like many in the community, we certainly welcome moves to reduce the prospects of nuclear weapons in this world, particularly in the hands of volatile actors like Iran. But as people who believe in peace and diplomacy, we note that this latest escalation has the risk of continuing to increase tensions in the region, rather than reducing them,” said Kate Rosenberg.

The JCA was outright critical. “Israel’s actions, tacitly backed by the US, place the entire Middle East region in danger,” co-CEO Max Kaiser said after Israel launched its attack. 

The JCA also condemned the Albanese government over its support for the US bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities, labelling the strike “a reckless provocation” and “an illegal act of aggression that threatens to escalate a dangerous regional conflict and lead to more death and suffering”.

Some of these groups made clear their solidarity for the citizens of Iran, as well as Israel.

“Jewish Australians will be going into the Sabbath praying for the people of Israel and for the safety of Iranian civilians,” Alex Ryvchin (ECAJ) said on June 13.

Meanwhile, NIF Australia reposted this message from NIF Global: “The NIF community around the world is feeling deeply anxious and concerned for our colleagues, friends and family in Israel, Jewish and Palestinian. For innocents in Iran and throughout the region.”

JCA: “Right now we are thinking about the many Australians who have families in Iran, and are concerned for their safety. Israel’s attacks on Iran also place Israelis in danger, and we are also concerned for their safety.” 

ZFA and AIJAC expressed their support for Israeli citizens endangered by the conflict.