As someone who has written in the past on the topic of antisemitism in this Journal – South Australia and antisemitism, July 12 2022, and Antisemitism and the IHRA definition, April 26 2023, I was moved to do so again following the piece published by the newly formed Jewish Council of Australia (the Council) on February 8, 2024: Jewish Council of Australia launches to provide expert voice on antisemitism and racism in Australia.

What about those traditional characteristics? Do they still exist? No doubt they would embrace such assertions as the power of the Jews in the media, or as political lobbyists. Such assertions might be considered indicative of the trope of Jews having unusual power. But is a belief in such assertions to be condemned? Should such a belief result in moral turpitude? What if the assertions are true? What if there is a powerful Zionist influence within the Murdoch press, or, topically, within the ABC? What if the Zionist lobby in the United States does in fact have considerable power in political circles? Is it wrong to note that? I say not.

Source: Israel and the weaponisation of antisemitism – Pearls and Irritations