Coexistence and other Fighting Words
January 20, 2026 by J-Wire
Book review by Dr Anne Sarzin Read more
Police question Netanyahu aide Yonatan Urich in ‘BibiLeaks’ investigation
January 20, 2026 by Pesach Benson
Yonatan Urich, a close adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was summoned for police interrogation on Monday as part of an expanding investigation into the leak of classified military documents to a German newspaper. Read more
Hate crimes reforms secure bipartisan backing as parliament fast tracks laws after Bondi attack
January 20, 2026 by J-Wire with AAP
The federal government has secured crucial bipartisan backing for hate speech reforms, with the coalition declaring in principle support for legislation aimed at cracking down on antisemitism in the wake of the December 14 terrorist attack at a Jewish Chanukah celebration at Bondi Beach.
Israel begins dismantling UNRWA’s Jerusalem headquarters
January 20, 2026 by TPS-IL
This morning (Tuesday), Israeli security forces began to evacuate and destroy the UNRWA (UN Relief Works Agency) headquarters on Ammunition Hill in northern Jerusalem. Read more
Jewish teenagers targeted in St Kilda East ute attack
January 20, 2026 by David Marlow
Just three days before the National Day of Mourning for the victims of last month’s antisemitic terrorist attack at Bondi Beach, a group of Jewish teenage boys were targeted with an antisemitic attack by the occupants of a white ute.
Joshua Belinfante: learning from master filmmakers, telling his own stories
January 20, 2026 by Rob Klein
Young Australian filmmaker Joshua Belinfante has been mentored by two of the world’s most influential directors, German Werner Herzog and Iranian Asghar Farhadi, experiences he describes as defining and deliberately challenging.
Zubin Mehta’s tone-deaf chutzpah
January 19, 2026 by Ruthie Blum - JNS
In an interview on Jan. 15 with India Today’s Rajdeep Sardesai, conductor Zubin Mehta proudly announced that he had cancelled all of his scheduled performances in Israel for the coming year “because of [his] objection to Mr. [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu’s way of treating the whole Palestinian issue.” Read more
Yarden Bibas marks slain son Kfir’s third birthday
January 19, 2026 by JNS
Yarden Bibas, whose family became a symbol of the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas kidnappings, has marked what would have been his murdered son’s third birthday with a wrenching Instagram post. Read more
Parliament honours 15 killed in Bondi Beach terror attack
January 19, 2026 by Rob Klein
Australia’s parliament fell into silence on Monday during a condolence motion in the House of Representatives, confronting the human cost of the antisemitic terror attack that killed 15 people at Bondi Beach on December 14, 2025.
United Nations has prolonged Jewish-Arab conflict since 1974
January 19, 2026 by David Singer
The United Nations (UN) has never been a real player in securing an end to the Jewish-Arab conflict since it extended a rousing welcome to Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) Chairman Yasir Arafat on 13 November 1974. Read more
Holocaust Remembrance Day to focus on generational responsibility
January 19, 2026 by J-Wire News Service
Australia’s annual International Holocaust Remembrance Day commemoration will be held next Tuesday, 27 January, hosted by the Sydney Jewish Museum in partnership with the Australian Association of Jewish Holocaust Survivors and Descendants.
Australia to ‘respectfully’ consider Gaza board invite
January 19, 2026 by AAP
Anthony Albanese will consider an invitation from Donald Trump to join the US leader’s Gaza peace board. Read more
Unique Holocaust education programme “In My Pocket” expands to Lithuania
January 19, 2026 by Rob Klein
The “In My Pocket” initiative, an innovative Holocaust education programme developed in Australia, has now extended to Lithuania.
On the other hand
January 18, 2026 by Michael Kuttner
Israel’s first vertiport for aerial taxis is set to be built at Atidim Park, a major business and high-tech complex in Tel Aviv. Read more
US names Rubio, Tony Blair, Kushner to Gaza board
January 18, 2026 by Agencies
The White House has announced some members of a so-called “Board of Peace” to supervise the temporary governance of Gaza, which has been under a fragile ceasefire since October. Read more
‘Light will win’: Australia prepares for national day of mourning to honour Bondi victims
January 18, 2026 by J-Wire Newsdesk
Australia will pause this Thursday, January 22, for a National Day of Mourning to honour the victims of the December 14 Bondi Beach terrorist attack. Read more
Hate speech laws could be ‘salvaged’ after backdown
January 18, 2026 by AAP
Despite criticising Labor’s proposed hate speech laws as unsalvageable, the coalition is looking to get elements passed in an emergency session. Read more
ECAJ considers contempt action over extremist Islamic preacher’s video
January 17, 2026 by Rob Klein
The Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) is exploring contempt of court proceedings against Islamic preacher Wisam Haddad. This follows allegations that he violated a federal injunction regarding antisemitic statements in a recent online video.
The high stakes in Iran
January 16, 2026 by Melanie Phillips - JNS.org
The stupendous courage of the Iranian people has inspired awe at this massive display of unquenchable human spirit. Read more
Spielberg should use his ‘big platform’ to censure Mamdani’s views, ZOA president says
January 16, 2026 by JNS
Morton Klein, national president of the Zionist Organisation of America, criticised filmmaker Steven Spielberg for reportedly meeting privately with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, arguing that the visit legitimised a person who has gone out of his way to make his anti-Israel views known. Read more
Pahlavi’s vision for ‘free Iran’: Israel recognition, no nukes
January 16, 2026 by Joshua Marks - JNS
Exiled crown prince and prominent opposition leader Reza Pahlavi has outlined his vision for a post-Islamist Iran, as nationwide anti-government protests stretch into their third week. Read more
From surviving to thriving: new research guides mental health care for childhood cancer
January 16, 2026 by Pesach Benson
When treatment for childhood cancer ends, the emotional consequences often continue long afterwards, according to a new Israeli study that points to persistent psychological distress among both survivors and their parents more than a year after therapy has been completed. Read more
Distorted language over war crimes
January 16, 2026 by Bruce S. Ticker
Labor remains open to ‘other ideas’ on hate speech laws
January 16, 2026 by AAP
The prime minister is making a last-ditch bid for bipartisan support for sweeping hate speech laws after failing to win backing from the coalition or the Greens.
It’s elementary
January 16, 2026 by Michael Kuttner
It is amazing how something that is simple, basic, fundamental and easy to understand can frequently be made complicated and complex. Read more
Shabbat Vaeyra
January 16, 2026 by Jeremy Rosen
Hearing but not Listening Read more
Albanese faces pressure from religious groups over hate speech laws
January 16, 2026 by J-Wire Newsdesk
A coalition of faith leaders has urged the Prime Minister to reject a deal with the Greens on proposed antisemitism laws.
10,000 Hours (Gravity & Other Myths)
January 16, 2026 by Alex First
Acrobatic excellence at a level you are most unlikely to have seen…writes Alex First. Read more
Waverley Council awards Keys to the City to heroes of Bondi Beach terror attack
January 16, 2026 by Rob Klein
Waverley Council has unanimously agreed to award Keys to the City to three people who intervened during the December 14 terror attack at Bondi Beach, while also resolving to seek posthumous national honours for those killed trying to stop the gunmen.
‘Who Is a Jew’ Bill fails Knesset preliminary vote
January 15, 2026 by Pesach Benson
The Knesset on Wednesday rejected a controversial bill seeking to redefine who may be registered as Jewish in Israel’s population registry, dealing a blow to an initiative backed primarily by Orthodox (Haredi) lawmakers. Read more
