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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
‘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
‘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.
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.
Charges likely to be dropped after bomb squad called to Bondi following Shloshim service
January 12, 2026 by AAP J-Wire
A Victorian man arrested after bomb disposal police were called to Bondi Road, Bondi over a duct-taped weighted vest is likely to have charges dropped, NSW Police have conceded in court.
Suspect arrested after antisemitic drive-by shooting at home of New Zealand Jewish family in California
January 11, 2026 by Greg Bouwer
A man has been arrested in connection with an antisemitic drive-by shooting that targeted the home of a New Zealand Jewish family in Redlands, California, in December. Read more
