Nazis, COVID protests and antisemitism

Racism in the 21st century has focussed on opposing non-white immigration into white-majority countries and calls to expel those not of European ethnicity. Read more

From Australia’s Jewish Past: Judah Solomon –  Convict to Businessman

Judah arrived in Hobart in 1820 from England, together with his brother Joseph, as convicts for “receiving stolen goods”. Read more

Israeli startup signs deal to map 18 million Australian buildings in 3D

Israeli startup GEOX has signed an agreement with the Australian government company that includes full 3D mapping of 18 million buildings across the Australian continent, based on aerial photographs. Read more

US expert Emanuele Ottolenghi explains Hezbollah’s criminal networks

The latest Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) webinar guest was Dr Emanuele Ottolenghi, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defence of Democracies, whose areas of expertise include Iran and Hezbollah. His topic was “Hezbollah and the Toxic Terror Crime Convergence”. Read more

Government been recommended to relist Hezbollah as a terrorist organisation and in its entirety

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has recommended the Federal government consider listing Hezbollah in its entirety as a terrorist organisation. Read more

Queen’s Birthday Honours – the Jewish list for 2021

Members of the Australian Jewish community have received Queen’s Birthday awards in the fields of philanthropy, medicine, communal involvement and arts. One awardee has been recognised for aiding refugees and joins another one for helping the reduction of smokers. J-Wire wishes them all Mazeltov. Read more

Scott Morrison says no to Durban 4

The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) has applauded Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s announcement that Australia will not participate in the event to mark the 20th anniversary of the UN World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance. Read more

Dan Tehan to discuss trade with counterparts in Israel and Bahrain on zoom

In a first-ever webinar event, the Trade Ministers of Australia, Bahrain and Israel will be interviewed live on the importance of new markets in a post-COVID-19` world. Read more

Jerusalem museum returns Australian artefacts

A large collection of stone artefacts has been returned to Australia from The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, as part of the AIATSIS-led Return of Cultural Heritage (RoCH) program. Read more

Australia commended for UN vote

The Zionist Federation of Australia has commended the Australian Government for maintaining its principled voting record in the United Nations. Read more

Two Aussies and one Kiwi in Israel’s cycling 2021 team

The Israel Start-Up Nation 2021 cycling team will consist of 32 riders from Israel and 16 other countries. Read more

The Ausraeli community in Australia: a new report

Israeli emigrants to Australia, aka Ausraelis, have built a vibrant community which operates within and outside the wider Jewish community. Read more

Queen’s Birthday Honours – the Jewish list for 2020

Members of the Australian Jewish community have received Queen’s Birthday awards for their participation in the fields of the arts, philanthropy, medicine, sport and Holocaust education. Read more

The first International Young Leadership Retreat of its kind.

30 young leaders from Australia, Canada, Mexico, Italy, Sweden, and Ireland have taken part in the first International Young Leadership Delegation of its kind in Israel. Read more

Former Canadian PM Stephen Harper addresses AICC

Former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper spoke at the Australia Israel Chamber of Commerce lunch in Melbourne on Wednesday. Read more

Chelm is alive and well…writes Michael Kuttner

Chelm was a mythical Yiddish-speaking town which had a disproportionate share of shlemiels and shlemazels whose mind-boggling stupidity provided an endless source of merriment and mirth. Read more

New bill will end Israeli imports of live animals for meat, in light of suffering

In light of revelations as to the poor conditions of animals transported to Israel for food, government ministers on Sunday greenlighted a bill that would gradually phase out the import of animals for slaughter in Israel. Read more

We can and should make BDS a pariah

The BDS movement hasn’t had much luck targeting Israel’s economy or even its cultural life: Despite some high-profile cancellations, there were 140 performances by international artists last year, up from 22 in 2010…writes Evelyn Gordon/JNS. Read more

3 Australian innovators selected to attend prestigious global summit in Jerusalem

Melbourne natives Dean Cohen, Eyal Halamish and Bradley Smorgon have been selected to join over 150 of the Jewish world’s leading young innovators from 29 countries who will convene in Jerusalem this month to connect with other change makers, gain new skills, and find renewed inspiration at the 2018 ROI Summit. Read more

People of the Boot: the triumphs and tragedies of Australian Jews in Sport…a book review by Geoffrey Zygier

‘People of the Boot’ is a neat pun as the title of a book about Australian Jews’ contribution to their country’s – and international – sporting life. Read more

Israel’s ambassador to Australia: “We regret the lost life”

Israel’s ambassador to Australia Mark Sofer has expressed his regret of loss of lives in Gaza but lays the blame squarely on Hamas. Read more

Nations divided over whether to attend opening ceremony of US embassy in Jerusalem

European nations are lining up on opposite sides of the political aisle as the grand opening of the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem date approaches…but Australia will not be there. Read more

Just when you think you have heard it all

It seems there is no limit when it comes to covering news about Israel and Jews. This week in particular has served up yet more examples of the absurdities we face…writes Michael Kuttner. Read more

The Great approaches its 140th anniversary

2018 marks the 140^th anniversary of the consecration of  Sydney’s The Great Synagogue, which took place on 4 March 1878. Read more

Shameful…writes Michael Kuttner

On 31 October at Beersheba I listened to endless platitudes, mutual back slapping and great sounding sentiments from the Prime Ministers of Australia and Israel and the Governor General of New Zealand. Read more

IHRA upgrades Australia

The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), an inter-governmental body with 31 member countries, unanimously agreed to upgrade Australia’s status in the organisation from Observer to Liaison status. Read more

Elbit shares a $1.4 billion Australian army deal

Elbit Systems of Australia Pty Ltd has hosted at its facility in Canberra the Australian Minister for Defence Industry, Christopher Pyne MP, Senator for the Australia Capital Territory, Zed Seselja and the Chief of the Army, Lieutenant General Angus Campbell  marking the award of Tranche 2 of the Australian Army’s Land 75/125 program. Read more

Q&A in Israel

Leader of the Opposition Bill Shorten, Minister for the Environment, Energy, Josh Frydenberg and Dan Tehan separately faced the media in Israel. Here are some of the questions…and their answers. Read more

Hope for reason to prevail at the UNHRC as Australia takes its place

The Jewish community has welcomed the Australia’s election to Unite Nations Human Right Council. Read more

Danby stands his ground

Melbourne Labor MP Michael Danby is sticking by his advertisements in the Jewish media criticising ABC correspondent Sophie McNeill’s reporting in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Read more

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