Why progressives are failing on contemporary antisemitism

In analysing how Australian progressives have responded to the current antisemitic wave, it is useful to draw a comparison with progressive reactions to the last serious outbreak of populist antisemitism in Australia in early 1960.

That outbreak involved a wave of swastika daubings across the western world. This included Australia where about 100 incidents occurred nationally in all capital cities involving the painting or drawing of swastikas and/or anti-Jewish slogans.

The principal perpetrators may have been members of far-right European émigré groups whose members blamed alleged Jewish Communists for the continuing Soviet occupation of their homelands.

How did the Australian left respond to this outbreak of antisemitism? They displayed unconditional solidarity with the Jewish community against racism.

Leaders from the ALP, trade union movement, peace movement, churches, and academia spoke at a Citizens Protest Meeting organised by the Jewish Council to Combat Fascism and Anti-Semitism. There were also multiple resolutions passed by ALP branches and trade unions condemning antisemitism.

In contrast, most of the leading Australian progressive organisations – trade unions, academics and intellectuals, social movements etc. – have provided limited anti-racist solidarity to Jewish community in the current context. A number have said they don’t approve of antisemitism but have taken no action to demonstrate their disapproval. They have acted as bystanders.

One possible explanation for their passivity may be that they expect racism to emanate from powerful and politically conservative groups in society, that is from above. However, many of those active in the current antisemitic populist movement seem to come from either progressive groups or religious or ethnic minorities, that is to some extent from below.

Progressives appear to be struggling to understand why groups or individuals that may themselves be subject to forms of disadvantage, including prejudice, are openly perpetrating racism.