AJA ARE NOT MY PEOPLE
Since 7 October 2023, the Australian Jewish Association has emerged as a polarising presence in Australia’s public discourse regarding the Middle East. While the Association positions itself as a defender of Jewish Australians, its actions have frequently produced the opposite outcome by deepening divisions and undermining the community it purports to represent.
The Association’s public statements are often characterised by aggressive and inflammatory rhetoric. Palestinians and their supporters are depicted as dangerous, extremist, or morally suspect. Critics, including members of the Jewish community itself, view this language as racist and dehumanising, as it frames an entire group and their supporters as threats rather than individuals. This rhetoric doesn’t protect Jewish Australians; instead, it increases fear and exacerbates hostility.
Just as concerning is the Association’s treatment of members of the Jewish community like myself who oppose Israel’s actions in Gaza, speak about Palestinian suffering, or advocate for ceasefires and adherence to international law. We have been publicly attacked, smeared, and delegitimised. Some have been labelled traitors, extremists, or enablers of hatred, while others have been accused, implicitly or explicitly, of providing cover for antisemitism simply by expressing dissent. This effort to police Jewish identity and opinion has eroded community trust and silenced many voices that are essential to a healthy, pluralistic Jewish discourse.
The Association has also faced repeated accusations of misleading or deceptive behaviour. Some of its statements blur the line between fact and advocacy, exaggerate threats, or conflate criticism of the Israeli government with hatred of Jewish people. In several well-known cases, dramatic claims were widely shared before evidence was confirmed, while later corrections received much less attention. This pattern has led to panic instead of understanding, and to policy decisions based on fear rather than facts.
A particularly concerning practice is the Association’s willingness to issue or encourage legal, political, or reputational threats against critics, journalists, academics, artists, and activists. These actions appear intended more to intimidate than to persuade. They discourage open debate, restrict free expression, and suggest that certain viewpoints should be silenced rather than discussed.
By claiming to represent the Jewish community while targeting many Jews who dissent, the Association has misrepresented a narrow, hardline perspective as if it were the consensus. In reality, Jewish Australians encompass a wide range of backgrounds, beliefs, and political views. Many are uncomfortable with Israel’s actions in Gaza, oppose all forms of racism, including Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian sentiment, and seek peace, accountability, and equal rights. These individuals do not identify with the Association’s actions.
Regrettably, the Association’s actions have contributed to an increase in antisemitism rather than its reduction, and while it is entitled to its views and to advocate strongly for Israel, it should not claim to represent all Jewish Australians or engage in actions that undermine social cohesion while attributing negative outcomes to others. In fact, the AJA represents a very small minority of Australian Jews. It certainly does not represent my perspective.
If the aim is safety, dignity, and respect for Jewish Australians, their behaviour since 7 October shows the Association’s approach hasn’t worked. Rather than protecting the community, it has made it smaller. Instead of building trust, it has broken it.
In my view, they’re just a bunch of reckless, ignorant, opportunistic, cowardly, aggressive, racist pigs who should have been rounded up for hate speech and incitement a very long time ago.
