Australian Jewish Association

Australian Governor General announced today that she is hosting Sheikh Dr. Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa at Admiralty House - the Secretary General of the Muslim World League. Al-Issa's highlights reel: 1. Calling Jewish hearts harsh as stone, "even harsher" (Quran Radio, "The Obstinacy of the Jews & the Harshness of Their Hearts," 16 August 2014, minute 6:25). 2. Claiming Jews "distorted the Torah" intentionally and wickedly (same sermon, minute 9:10), insisting that they didn't merely twist meaning but altered the actual text - described in his words as "marrying the two uglinesses." 3. Claiming today's Jews remain on the same "deviant path" as their ancestors (same sermon, minute 11:00). 4. Saying Jews are "ashamed" to repeat how Jews describe God because, in his telling, Jewish theology is the most ignorant and ugly conception imaginable (same sermon, minute 16:20). 5. Attacking core Christian theology as fabrication - saying Christians "spoke lies and fabrications" about God having a son (same sermon, minute 17:50). 6. Calling on Jews to "fold into" Muslim society ("God's Call for Jews to Join the Muslim Community," Quran Radio, 19 February 2014, minute 5:40). 7. Saying Jews conceal religious truth out of "ill will, and envy" rather than ignorance - claiming they actually know Islam is true and reject it deliberately ("The Call of God to the Jews to Believe in the Quran," 19 February 2014, minute 9:00).

Special Melbourne screening Have you booked for the special Melbourne screening of 'Whose land? - Part 1' with director, Hugh Kitson? Want to speak up in support of Israel and the Jewish people, but feel unsure about the history and facts? This compelling documentary explores the historical roots of the conflict and examines the question of “Whose Land” it is. Directed by Hugh Kitson and narrated by Colonel Richard Kemp, the film presents a perspective seeking to uncover and share the historical record. Join us for a thought-provoking screening that aims to inform, challenge, and encourage open discussion. Featuring prominent international lawyers, historians and academics. Screening followed by Q & A With Hugh Kitson and Special Guest (Part 2 will be screened on June 15th - Save the Date) The movie screening is endorsed by Allies for a Strong Australia, Never Again is Now and the Australian Jewish Association BOOKING LINK IN THE COMMENTS

Over a thousand Jews were murdered in the Intifada Ahmed Ouf is a serving councillor in Cumberland City Council.

Australian Jewish group receives mailbox death threat By Canaan Lidor jns.org/news/world/aus… An Australian Jewish advocacy group received in its mailbox a death threat that ended with the sentence “kill and fumigate all Jews,” the group said on Sunday. A staff member of the Australian Jewish Association collected mail and discovered a letter containing a death threat,” AJA CEO Robert Gregory wrote on X. The author of the letter, which is now the subject of a police investigation, inveighed in it against both Israel and Jewish people, threatening to “gang rape all Jews” and asserting: “I work with Hezbollah.” The author, who prefaced the letter with what was supposedly the author’s name and place of work in Sydney, threatened to kill Jews “like Hitler fumigate all Jews” [sic], adding, “You will not get away with damages in Lebanon.” The letter was “not an isolated incident,” Gregory wrote, adding that the AJA has received numerous death threats since Oct. 7, 2023. Almost all Australian Jews have experienced antisemitism, he added. “These narratives have become increasingly common within sections of the pro-Palestinian movement. When such falsehoods are normalized, it is Jewish Australians who often bear the consequences,” Gregory added. On Dec. 14, 2025, two gunmen, allegedly Islamists, a father and a son, staged a terrorist attack that led to the death of 15 people at a Chanukah party on Bondi Beach in Sydney. The father was killed in a fire exchange, and the son is standing trial. The government launched a committee of inquiry into antisemitism in Australia following the shooting. The committee is set to convene for the first time on Monday. “Tomorrow marks the first day of hearings for the Royal Commission into antisemitism. We expect that antisemitic threats like this, which have become far too common, will be front and center in its considerations,” the AJA head said. Gregory added, “I barely recognize the country we are living in today. October 7, 2023, marked a turning point for Jews in Australia. Stronger leadership from the federal government at an earlier stage could have helped prevent the sustained rise in hatred we have witnessed over the past two years, culminating in the Bondi massacre. Too often, we felt that our concerns were not taken seriously.”

Media Statement – Australian Jewish Association Receives Death Threat Today, a staff member of the Australian Jewish Association (AJA) collected mail and discovered a letter containing a death threat. AJA CEO Robert Gregory said: “Regrettably, this is not an isolated incident. Since October 7, 2023, the Australian Jewish Association has received numerous death threats. As one of the most prominent Jewish organisations in Australia, with the largest social media presence, AJA has been a frequent target of antisemitic hatred, but almost all Australian Jews have experienced antisemitism. It is worth noting that a man was sentenced not long ago for making similar threats against the AJA. These incidents must be taken seriously and treated with the full force of the law. While the latest threat is largely incoherent, it echoes widely circulated false claims about Israel. These narratives have become increasingly common within sections of the pro-Palestinian movement. When such falsehoods are normalised, it is Jewish Australians who often bear the consequences. Tomorrow marks the first day of hearings for the Royal Commission into antisemitism. We expect that antisemitic threats like this which have become far too common will be front and centre in its considerations. Frankly, I barely recognise the country we are living in today. October 7, 2023 marked a turning point for Jews in Australia. Stronger leadership from the federal government at an earlier stage could have helped prevent the sustained rise in hatred we have witnessed over the past two years, culminating in the Bondi massacre. Too often, we felt that our concerns were not taken seriously.”

BRAVE IRANIAN WOMAN SPEAKS OUT International competitive chess player (Dorsa) who was persecuted by the Islamic Regime along with her family. One by one they escaped Iran so can now speak out. In response to the Western useful idiots criticising the US and Israel and supporting the Islamic Regime: "unless you've felt what it's like when your family becomes a target, you shouldn't tell us what to think. Just listen to us."

Pro-palestinian protest on Coogee Beach. Is this an appropriate place for political protest?

Australian Jewish Association chief executive Robert Gregory said: “I was disappointed that the interim report did not address the issue of radical Islamist extremism”. “No serious analysis of the lead-up to the Bondi massacre can ignore this,” he said. “I recognise this is an interim report and expect that upcoming hearings will examine this critical issue. “However, the royal commission’s credibility will be seriously undermined if it ultimately fails to do so.”

The City of Sydney can change the venue but they can't change the hate. AJA CEO Robert Gregory said: "The event has changed venue twice, which shows the City of Sydney Council is focused on logistics when it should be doing the right thing and cancelling it altogether. Which council venue hosts the event is irrelevant. What matters is that Council has a responsibility to ratepayers and the Jewish community not to host an event that glorifies violence and is likely to inflame tensions and incite hostility. It is astonishing that, just one day after the interim report into the worst killing of Jews in Australia’s history, Council is still pressing ahead. This is tone deaf and reflects a serious failure of leadership.""

Melbourne has removed more than 1,000 piece of antisemitic graffiti, with Jewish families now too afraid to visit the CBD, Nick Reece has warned in a Royal Commission submission > bit.ly/4tcayN4

Interesting poll in this week's Australian Jewish News For many years, it felt like AJA was a lone voice calling on our community to focus on the threat from the far-left. Jewish organisations disgracefully boycotted the pro-Israel One Nation party yet at the same time they were trying to court the Greens. It never made sense. Yes, there are some dangerous people on the far-right but the risk posed by the antisemitic left is far greater. The enormous effort and resources spent on advocating for bans of Nazi salutes and signs would have made a real difference in the fight against far-left and Islamist antisemitism. The neo-Nazis are mainly losers, failures in life who have little influence. Among the antisemitic far-left there are university lecturers, ABC employees, public school teachers and a political party that regularly attracts over 10% of the vote. Has the Jewish community finally woken up?

Radical Islamist Elephant In The Room- AJA Speaks to James Macpherson, Sky News AJA CEO Robert Gregory joined James Macpherson, who was filling in on the Bolt Report, to discuss the Interim Royal Commission report. Robert pointed out that the Bondi massacre was Australia's worst Islamic terrorist attack and any report which doesn't deal with radical Islam loses credibility. Robert detailed some of the antisemitism faced by the AJA and the wider Jewish community.

Redfern Convenience Store is ordered to shut down just days after owner celebrated 25 years of business and gloated about 'welcoming' challenges dailymail.com/news/article-1… The owner had previously posted: "I pray to God on the first Friday of Ramadan to destroy Israel and rid the world of Zionists because they are the cause of the suffering of the Palestinian people.'"

timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry… The Labour Party in the UK gets the same treatment from the Jewish community as the Labor Party in Australia. Both Governments abandoned their Jewish communities to radical Islamic terrorism

Australian billboard advertising synagogue event torched jns.org/news/world/aus… A billboard in Australia promoting an event involving an Israeli volunteer emergency medical service was torched on Tuesday night. The Melbourne sign advertised an event with the president and founder of United Hatzalah of Israel at a local synagogue. “This is the reality for Jews in Melbourne in 2026,” the Australian Jewish Association posted on X. The Jewish group had partnered with both organizations. The vandalism was the latest in a rash of antisemitic incidents that have shaken Australia since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on southern Israel. Last week, a joint Jewish-Greek choral concert in Australia, intended to raise money for the victims of the Bondi Beach massacre, was abruptly canceled after Greek choir members voted against performing with Jews. About 110,000 Jews live in Australia, primarily in Melbourne and Sydney.

"We welcome the release of the Royal Commission’s interim report. While limited in scope, it addresses some important issues in the lead-up to the Bondi massacre and contains several concerning findings. We note that death threats made against AJA leaders are included in the report, which ultimately led to the first charges under AFP Operation Avalite. (section 1.25) The revelation that police attending the Bondi Chanukah event were reportedly told there was no need to remain for the full duration is particularly troubling. (2.64) However, the report’s credibility is undermined by its failure to address the issue of radical Islamist extremism. No serious analysis of the lead-up to the Bondi massacre can ignore this. It's concerning that the report identifies no urgent legislative changes required. There were serious failings by multiple agencies. If the legislation is adequate, then these failings are inexplicable. One glaring legislative constraint was the absence of armed security due to existing firearms laws. Whether different security settings could have changed the outcome is a matter that warrants urgent examination. If gaps remain, they represent a serious and ongoing security vulnerability."