‘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
INTO THE FRAY: Much to worry about
January 15, 2026 by Martin Sherman
Looking back over the last several decades, citizens of Israel will find much reason for grave concern over the aptitude of the country’s leadership. Indeed, almost all of those who held- and some who still hold—senior positions of national responsibility have raised ideas, which have either precipitated trauma and tragedy or, by mere good fortune, have not done so. Read more
From disinvitation to apology: Abdel-Fattah and the Adelaide Festival fiasco
The new board of the Adelaide Festival has issued an unreserved apology and issued an invitation to Palestinian-Australian writer Randa Abdel-Fattah to Writers’ Week 2027, reversing a controversial January decision that led to the event’s collapse.
ECAJ calls for compromise on hate speech laws
January 15, 2026 by J-Wire Staff
Australia’s peak Jewish body has warned against a wholesale rejection of the federal government’s proposed hate speech legislation, as both the Coalition and the Greens signal they will not support the bill in its current form.
Neo-Nazi’s defiant vow in bail bid over ‘rhetorical rape’ charge
January 15, 2026 by AAP
A former lieutenant of Australia’s neo-Nazi network has distanced himself from the group amid claims he called for the “rhetorical rape” of a politician. Read more
Israel plans return to Venice Biennale
January 15, 2026 by Rob Klein
Israel will take part in the 2026 Venice Biennale, confirming its return to the world’s most prominent contemporary art exhibition after its national pavillion was closed during the 2024 event amid protests.
Waverley Council to consider fate of Bondi footbridge used in terror attack
January 15, 2026 by Rob Klein
The future of the pedestrian footbridge at the centre of the Bondi Beach terror attack will be debated by Waverley Council tonight (Thursday), as community division continues over whether the structure should remain, be removed, or be replaced.
Adelaide Writers’ Week and the dangerous misuse of “free speech”
January 14, 2026 by Michael Gencher
The collapse of Adelaide Writers’ Week 2026 has been widely described as a free speech controversy. Read more
Freed hostage claims UN leader uninterested in hearing about sexual violence endured
January 14, 2026 by Mike Wagenheim - JNS
Former hostage Moran Stella Yanai called out U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, claiming he was not interested in hearing her claims of sexual violence while in Hamas captivity. Read more
JK Rowling speaks up for Iranian protesters, calls out Jew-hatred
January 14, 2026 by JNS
“Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling voiced support for Iranian protesters and condemned antisemitism in a widely shared post on social media on Jan. 11. Read more
Can Trump avoid repeating Obama’s blunders vis à vis Tehran?
January 14, 2026 by Jonathan S. Tobin - JNS.org
At the moment, it’s far from clear whether the growing anti-government protests inside Iran will succeed in toppling the Islamist tyrants that have ruled since 1979. Read more
Concerns grow that antisemitism bill leaves dangerous loopholes
Representatives of the Jewish community have told a Senate committee the government’s draft antisemitism bill risks missing its mark unless key flaws are fixed. At the same time, support for the legislation is reportedly splintering ahead of a vote next week.
Mamdani’s condemnation of Hamas is a step in the right direction
January 14, 2026 by Menachem Rosensaft
I consider the fact that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned the antisemitic rhetoric used by demonstrators outside a Queens synagogue this past Thursday to be far more significant than quibbling over the timeliness of his response. Read more
‘Team Australia’ claim by man charged over MP threats
January 14, 2026 by AAP
A man staring down jail time for allegedly threatening to kill a federal politician caused a stir after leaving court for the first time. Read more
Government names leaders to oversee recovery from Bondi terror attack
January 14, 2026 by Rob Klein
One month after the antisemitic terror attack at Bondi Beach, the NSW Government has appointed two senior figures to oversee the long-term recovery of the affected community.
Flooding and high winds disrupt roads and flights as storm sweeps Israel
January 13, 2026 by Pesach Benson
Heavy rain, strong winds and localised flooding struck Israel overnight and into Tuesday as a winter storm swept across the country, disrupting transportation, causing property damage and prompting multiple emergency rescues. Read more
Hate crackdown spells end for Australia’s neo-Nazis
January 13, 2026 by AAP
Having spent months trying to position themselves as a mainstream political force, the country’s most vocal neo-Nazi groups will fold to avoid arrest. Read more
NCJWA says feminists backing Abdel-Fattah are “beyond hypocritical”
January 13, 2026 by J-Wire Newsdesk
Australia’s peak Jewish women’s organisation has condemned prominent writers and feminists who withdrew from the Adelaide Writers Festival in support of author Randa Abdel-Fattah.
Government unveils hate speech and gun reform bill after Bondi terror attack
January 13, 2026 by JWire-AAP
The federal government has released draft legislation aimed at strengthening hate speech laws and tightening gun controls in response to the antisemitic terror attack at Bondi Beach that killed 15 people and injured dozens more.
Writers’ festival cancelled
January 13, 2026 by AAP
The axing of a Palestinian-Australian author has led to the cancellation of one of Australia’s premier writers’ festivals as its embattled board stepped down. Read more
Hate crackdown revealed as day of mourning announced
January 13, 2026 by AAP
Australians will commemorate the 15 innocent people killed in the terrorist attack at Bondi as the prime minister unveils details of laws criminalising hate speech. Read more
Your say – the Wilcox cartoon
Reader Alan Slade writes: Read more
‘Hate in hearts’: illegal prayer halls hit after Bondi
Extremist preachers using unlicensed premises to radicalise followers could be on the hook for more than $100,000 as local councils are enlisted to combat hate. Read more
Parliament recalled as government moves to tighten hate laws
January 12, 2026 by Rob Klein
Federal parliament will reconvene in Canberra on 19 and 20 January to consider new laws targeting antisemitism, hate crimes and extremism in the wake of the Bondi Beach terror attack, with the government seeking broad bipartisan support.
Feintooner
January 12, 2026 by Feintooner
This week’s cartoon by Feintooner: The ups and downs of political protests Read more
United Nations remains epicentre of worldwide Jew-hatred
January 12, 2026 by David Singer
The United Nations has retained its position as the epicentre of world Jew-hatred in 2025, with the United Nations General Assembly adopting: Read more
Festival ‘must answer’ for dropping Palestinian author
January 12, 2026 by AAP
Palestinian-Australian writer Randa Abdel-Fattah says her cancellation by a major national festival was calculated to link her to the Bondi massacre. Read more
Thousands gather at Bondi Pavilion for Shloshim memorial following deadly terror attack
January 12, 2026 by Rob Klein
Despite heavy rain, more than 2,000 people came together at Bondi Pavilion on Sunday night, standing shoulder to shoulder to mark 30 days since the terror attack that tore through a Chanukah gathering at Bondi Beach.
Rabbinical Association welcomes Royal Commission but urges immediate action
January 12, 2026 by J-Wire Newsdesk
The Rabbinical Association of Australasia has welcomed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s decision to establish a Royal Commission into antisemitism and the Bondi Beach terror attack while warning that urgent action is needed now to protect Jewish communities.
Saturday Night Fever
January 12, 2026 by Alex First
A Melbourne theatre review by Alex First Read more
