Australia accused of antisemitism after blocking Israeli lawmaker’s visit
August 18, 2025 by Pesach Benson
Filed under News
Israeli right-wing politicians denounced Australia on Monday after Canberra barred Religious Zionism MK Simcha Rothman from visiting the country, calling the decision antisemitic and a capitulation to terrorism. Read more
Israeli MP who branded Gaza kids ‘enemies’ denied visa
Far-right Israeli politician Simcha Rothman has been denied entry into Australia, with the home affairs minister citing the government’s hard line against hate. Read more
Israeli rabbi marries off fallen son’s ex-fiancée
August 17, 2025 by Canaan Lidor - JNS
Filed under News
Nearly two years after Capt. Amitai Tzvi Granot was killed fighting Hezbollah terrorists in the Galilee; his father, Rabbi Tamir Granot, officiated on Monday at the wedding in Caesarea of Amitai Tzvi’s former fiancée, Roni. Read more
Israel gripped by nationwide strike as hostage families warn ‘silence kills’
A nationwide general strike swept Israel on Sunday as families of the hostages protested the government’s decision to expand the war in Gaza rather than pursue a deal to bring their loved ones home. Read more
Netanyahu rejects partial hostage deal
August 17, 2025 by Pesach Benson
Filed under News
Amid renewed reports of Hamas’ flexibility on a phased ceasefire-hostage agreement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office declared Saturday night that Israel will only accept a comprehensive deal that secures the release of all captives at once. Read more
Netanyahu lays out principles for victory and ending Hamas war
On Thursday night, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outlined his government’s conditions for ending the war against Hamas in Gaza. Read more
The Madonna of Gaza
August 15, 2025 by Melanie Phillips - JNS.org
Filed under Featured Articles
The superstar Madonna has urged the Pope Leo XIV to visit the Gaza Strip and “bring his light” to the children there “before it is too late.” Read more
PM defends Palestine recognition after US ‘disgust’
Australia’s decision to recognise Palestine was made in the interest of its citizens, the prime minister has said, after a US official decried the move. Read more
NZ Jewish Council urges caution on premature recognition of Palestinian state
August 15, 2025 by Greg Bouwer
Filed under News
The New Zealand Jewish Council has reiterated its long-held position that the only viable resolution to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict is a negotiated two-state solution — one that results in a secure and recognised Israel alongside a peaceful and democratic Palestinian state, reached through direct talks and backed by mutual recognition and security guarantees. Read more
‘Disgust’: US diplomat attacks ALP’s Palestine decision
America’s ambassador to Israel has taken aim at the federal government’s decision to recognise Palestinian statehood at a United Nations meeting in September. Read more
Israel moves forward with long-stalled e1 housing project
August 15, 2025 by Pesach Benson
Filed under News
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced that he will approve tenders for more than 3,000 housing units in the long-stalled E1 project between Jerusalem and Ma’ale Adumim, declaring the move a “revolution.” Read more
PM slams Hamas as senior leader denies praising him
Anthony Albanese has warned against trusting Hamas propaganda as an official from the terrorist group denies reports it backed Labor’s “political courage”. Read more
Global momentum behind Australia recognising Palestine
The international community is making a united effort to recognise Palestine, the prime minister says, despite a top US official saying Australia’s push is meaningless. Read more
Trump’s message to Israel: ‘Remember Oct. 7’
August 12, 2025 by David Isaac - JNS
Filed under News
“I have one thing to say: remember October 7, remember October 7,” U.S. President Donald Trump told Axios on Monday, referring to the Oct. 7, 2023, invasion of southern Israel by the terror group Hamas. Read more
Indigenous Friends of Israel not pleased with Palestine decision
August 12, 2025 by J-Wire News Service
Filed under News
The Indigenous Friends of Israel International has not welcomed Australia’s announcement that it would support recognition of a Palestinian state. Read more
Plan to seize Gaza City pushed Australia to recognition
The prime minister hopes recognition will help lay the path to peace after revealing Australia’s decision was spurred by Israel’s plans to occupy Gaza City. Read more
Israel faces growing calls to scrap Gaza offensive plan
International condemnation is growing over Israel’s plan for a military takeover of Gaza City ahead of an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting. Read more
As Abbas eyes UN statehood bid, Ben-Gvir demands immediate measures to overthrow PA
August 10, 2025 by Pesach Benson
Filed under News
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir on Sunday vowed to push Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take “immediate” action aimed at “toppling the Palestinian Authority” in response to a report that PA President Mahmoud Abbas is weighing a unilateral declaration of Palestinian statehood in September. Read more
Greens court controversy with ‘Sanction Israel’ arm patch
August 10, 2025 by Greg Bouwer
Filed under News
The NZ Green Party is facing renewed criticism from New Zealand’s Jewish community after proudly promoting an image of one of its MPs dressed head-to-toe in black, wearing a “Sanction Israel” patch prominently on his upper arm. Read more
PM brushes off push for Israel sanctions as a ‘slogan’
Australia has downplayed US criticism of international efforts to recognise Palestine, as Anthony Albanese criticises Israel’s plan to expand its Gaza offensive. Read more
Report: IDF bans Chinese cars from bases to prevent data leaks
August 8, 2025 by Canaan Lidor - JNS
Filed under News
The Israel Defence Forces has banned all China-made vehicles on its bases out of concern for information security, Israel’s Army Radio reported on Tuesday. Read more
Israel sets conditions for ending Gaza War, plans for civilian governance
August 8, 2025 by Pesach Benson
Filed under News
After an all-night discussion, Israel’s Security Cabinet approved a proposal to expand the war on Hamas, including reoccupying the Gaza Strip, and adopting five principles for ending the war, the Prime Minister’s Office announced early Friday morning. Read more
Former ambassador to Israel warns against delaying recognition of Palestine
Failing to recognise a Palestinian state would reward the Israeli government for its “campaign of genocidal violence”, a former Australian ambassador to Israel has warned, as the Albanese government weighs its next diplomatic steps.
Another protest, another city, another cause
Families of Israelis held hostage in Gaza and their supporters marched through Tel Aviv to the Defence Ministry compound in protest for their release on Wednesday. Read more
Balance key as government reviews antisemitism report
Australia must find a balance between protecting people against racial vilification and shielding institutions, the race discrimination commissioner says. Read more
AJDS calls for sanctions against Israel
August 6, 2025 by David Marlow
Filed under News
The Australian Jewish Democratic Society (AJDS) has once again moved against the mainstream Jewish community in Australia. Read more
UN confirms 88% of aid trucks in Gaza looted before reaching destination
The United Nations published data on Tuesday showing that 88.7% of aid trucks collected by the international organisation in the Gaza Strip in recent months were intercepted before reaching their destination. Read more
Is combating media bias Netanyahu’s mission impossible?
August 6, 2025 by Jonathan S. Tobin - JNS.org
Filed under Featured Articles
The contrast was glaring. A week after The New York Times put a horrifying yet completely misleading picture of a Palestinian Arab child in Gaza on its front page to illustrate a story that lent weight to the false claim that Israel was deliberately starving people in Gaza, it had an opportunity to put an equally awful photo in the same spot. Read more
Australia, France leaders discuss crisis in Gaza
The leaders of Australia and France have made plans to meet at a United Nations gathering, where Palestinian statehood and the crisis in Gaza will be major issues. Read more
After the bridge: where do we go from here?
August 6, 2025 by Michael Gencher
Filed under Featured Articles
Normally, by midweek, I’m sitting down to write—an op-ed, a column, a reflection to be published here in Australia or shared across the globe. It’s something I do routinely, not out of obligation, but because there is always something urgent to say—something that needs to be said. Read more







