Jewish community leaders welcome Taylor’s election as new Liberal leader

Jewish community organisations have welcomed Angus Taylor’s election today as federal Liberal Party leader, praising his longstanding support for Israel and his firm stance against antisemitism.

The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) congratulated Taylor on becoming Opposition Leader and his new deputy, Senator Jane Hume, while thanking outgoing leader Sussan Ley for her steadfast support. The group highlighted their consistent and principled solidarity with the Jewish community, especially following the Bondi terror attack, and their dedication to strengthening the enduring Australia-Israel alliance.

AIJAC continued: “Throughout these challenging times, Mr Taylor, Senator Hume and Ms Ley have shown consistent and principled solidarity with the Jewish community in the fight against antisemitism, especially after Bondi, and have been unwavering in seeking to preserve and strengthen the long-standing Australia-Israel alliance.”

In her resignation speech today, Sussan Ley referenced the royal commission as one of the things she was “proud” to have seen established in the last year. She said that one of the achievements of her leadership was the push for a royal commission into antisemitism and the Bondi terror attack

Peter Wertheim, co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ), described Taylor as a long-standing friend of both the Jewish community and Israel. He expressed optimism about Taylor’s potential to unify the moderate right in Australian politics and bring renewed energy, noting that a strong centre-right option is vital for democratic accountability. Wertheim also acknowledged Ley’s friendship and support during a period marked by profound challenges and tragedy.

These positive reactions underscore Taylor’s established reputation within the community, built on years of parliamentary advocacy and personal engagement.

As a senior frontbencher, Taylor has been one of the Coalition’s most consistent voices in support of Israel and opposition to antisemitism. His leadership comes as Australia grapples with strained relations with Israel and heightened concerns for Jewish safety following the October 7 Hamas attacks and the December 14, 2025, Bondi terror attack.

Shortly after October 7, Taylor told the House of Representatives that the assault by the listed terrorist organisation Hamas was a brutal attack on innocent civilians and that Australia must stand unequivocally with Israel in defending itself against terrorism.

In debates on social cohesion and domestic security, he insisted antisemitism has no place in Australia, calling on parliamentarians to condemn it clearly and without qualification, and portraying targeting of Jewish Australians as an assault on democratic foundations.

In October 2025, Taylor visited Israel, touring southern kibbutzim attacked by Hamas gunmen and the Nova music festival massacre site near Re’im. Writing on social media, Taylor reflected that the experience reinforced October 7 as an act of terror targeting families, young people, and everyday civilians. He met affected families and shared his solidarity with victims and hostages via social media during the multi-day trip.

On his return to Australia, he connected these events to domestic rises in antisemitism, telling parliament that Jewish Australians feeling unsafe in their own country is a national failure demanding a full response, not merely a community matter.

After visiting Bondi soon after the attack, he posted “Standing at Bondi last night, where just days ago 15 lives were brutally taken, was deeply moving. Antisemitism has no place in Australia. Hate has no place in our country.”

Taylor has pushed for stricter hate crime enforcement and enhanced protections for Jewish schools, synagogues, and institutions, arguing that moral clarity is essential when addressing terrorism and antisemitism.