StandWithUs Australia launches nationwide campaign to combat rising antisemitism

January 23, 2025 by Rob Klein
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StandWithUs Australia has announced a nationwide campaign, “Defend the Truth, Empower the Future,” set to run from 27 January to 2 February, in response to the unprecedented rise in antisemitism and anti-Zionist propaganda across the country, particularly on social media platforms.

Michael Gencher addresses supporters

The campaign comes at a critical time, as Jewish communities worldwide, including in Australia, experience a surge in antisemitic incidents amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East. StandWithUs Australia emphasises the urgent need to combat misinformation and hostility, calling for unity in pushing back against these challenges.

Michael Gencher, Executive Director of StandWithUs Australia, highlighted the critical need for action. “As Israel continues to defend itself, we are seeing a disturbing rise in antisemitism here in Australia. Misinformation and hostility have reached alarming levels, especially on social media, and it’s more important than ever that we come together to push back and educate the wider community,” he said.

StandWithUs, a global advocacy organisation founded in 2001, has been at the forefront of the fight against antisemitism through social media, campus outreach, and community engagement. With established operations in the United States, the UK, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, and the Netherlands, the organisation has built a strong international presence. In April 2024, StandWithUs opened its first office in Australia under the leadership of Gencher, former acting CEO of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies. “With the support of our global network and dedicated local team, we are uniquely positioned to address the challenges facing our community and empower young Australians with the facts they need to stand up against antisemitism,” he added.

StandWithUs Australia is working in close collaboration with existing Zionist and communal organisations to complement their efforts. With a growing social media following of 180,000 Australians and a global reach of 1.4 billion people, the organisation is uniquely positioned to provide content that resonates with Australians, especially younger generations. The organisation has already made significant strides in community engagement, including hosting the first global memorial for the 7 October attacks at Bondi Beach, which attracted over 3,000 attendees. It also organised the ‘Stop the Hate, Mate’ rally at the University of Sydney, raising awareness against campus antisemitism. Additionally, StandWithUs Australia has been supporting Australian students through the International Emerson Fellowship programme and Zionist education initiatives in day schools for over 15 years.

StandWithUs Australia is calling on the Australian community to support their efforts in countering misinformation, educating the public, and empowering the next generation to stand proudly with Israel. “We invite all Australians to stand with us in this crucial effort. Every voice matters, and together, we can make a difference in ensuring that truth prevails over misinformation,” said Gencher. Contributions can be made at various levels, including Visionary at $25,000 or more, Founder at $10,000 or more, Sponsor at $5,000 or more, and Patron at $1,800 or more. All donations are fully tax-deductible, and corporate sponsorship opportunities are available.

To donate, visit: https://donorbox.org/donate-to-standwithus-australia. StandWithUs Australia remains committed to fostering a stronger, more informed community equipped to combat antisemitism and support Israel.

Comments

2 Responses to “StandWithUs Australia launches nationwide campaign to combat rising antisemitism”
  1. Chuk merovitz says:

    I think that in order to maximize donations,this campaign needs details of what it will do to maximize the effect of the campaign

  2. Jill Altshuler says:

    I’d love to hear more specifics about the nationwide campaign, “Defend the Truth, Empower the Future” to see if we can use it as a model for something similar in the U.S. I’m also curious about the strides in community engagement that was mentioned in the article. I see the information about the global memorial and the “Stop the Hate, Mate” rally.
    Are there other community engagement initiatives that are working? Do you know if any non-Jews are getting involved?

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