Former ABC director and prominent businessman Joe Gersh has urged the ABC and other broadcasters to maintain impartiality in coverage of the burgeoning assault on Israel, as the conflict intensifies and threatens to inflame community tensions in Australia.

The self-proclaimed “centre-right” advocate who is a prominent member of the Jewish community said he had been heartened by crowds packing out a vigil for Israel in Sydney on Wednesday, but was concerned about the impact a spurt of anti-semitism was having on communities and children.