Jewish community fear Australia’s support for UN resolutions will inflame anti-Semitic attack

Australia’s support for two pro-Palestine motions at the UN General Assembly has sparked fears it could lead to more anti-Semitic attacks.

Anthony Albanese has been accused of “betraying” the Jewish community and not being upfront about his government’s support for two pro-Palestine United Nations votes that again put the nation at odds with Israel and the US.

With Australia on high alert in the wake of multiple anti-Semitic attacks, the Jewish community was left reeling on Thursday when the government backed a ceasefire resolution and greater access for a controversial UN Palestinian aid agency – sparking fears the votes will be a “black mark on the nation”, further inflame tensions, motivate local terror supporters and violent anti Semites.

The Coalition accused Mr Albanese of “gaslighting the Australian Jewish community” after he claimed, during a visit to the Sydney Jewish Museum on Wednesday, that he was “not sure” what the vote was about as he raised concerns about anti-Semitism.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Tanya Plibersek, Envoy for anti-Semitism Jillian Segal and Executive Council of Australian Jewry deputy president Robert Goot. Picture: Richard Dobson

Executive Council of Australian Jewry deputy president Robert Goot, who accompanied the PM at the museum, said it was “very disappointing and concerning that he (Albanese) either was not aware of the impending UN vote or chose not to reference it”.

“The government does not seem to appreciate how demonisation of Israel has been used to stoke anti-Semitism around the world, especially since 7 October 2023, including in UN resolutions supported by this government,” Mr Goot said.

Australian Jewish Association CEO Robert Gregory said the votes were “another betrayal” from the Albanese government.

“Not only was it insensitive for the Prime Minister to not be across the detail of two anti-Israel UN votes his government was about to take, as he addressed the Jewish community, the Prime Minister appears to have knowingly misled when answering a question about this,” Mr Gregory said.

“Many in the Jewish community have given up on the expectation of decency and fairness from this government when it comes to Israel and are already looking ahead to the upcoming election for an improvement,” Mr Gregory said.

Victorian Liberal Senator James Paterson. Picture: Martin Ollman

Opposition home affairs spokesman James Paterson accused the PM of “gaslighting”, saying his “lame attempt to defect and play dumb is a dishonourable thing for a Prime Minister to do”.

The wording of the two resolutions is understood to have been negotiated into the night on Wednesday, with Australia’s support hinging on its position for an immediate ceasefire, release of hostages and a two-state solution.

Earlier this week, Mr Albanese reportedly told a private event that people unhappy with Labor’s shift from voting with Israel to supporting pro-Palestine motions, even if they were imperfect, would soon be more upset.

Grilled on Wednesday whether Australia was changing its position, Mr Albanese said: “There are UN votes all the time but we’ll vote consistent with Australia’s position”.

At the UN General Assembly in New York, Australia voted with 158 countries to support an “immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire” in Gaza, and 159 countries to back the work of the controversial United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

Israel and the US were among nine countries to reject both resolutions.

Australia’s Ambassador to the UN James Larsen acknowledged that Australia did “not agree with everything” in the resolutions, including that it failed to condemn Hamas, but voted in favour to “stop the suffering”.

“The current situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering unbearable,” Mr Larsen said.

Australian Ambassador to the UN James Larsen. Picture: X

A government spokeswoman said: “Australia’s positions on these issues are well established”.

The government resumed financial support for UNRWA earlier this year after the organisation was cleared following an investigation into allegations members were involved with terrorist group Hamas. But critics argue the links remain.

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said for the past year, “the world has been calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and the immediate and unconditional release of hostages” and Australia, the UK, NSW, Canada voted in favour of this.

But Anti-Defamation Commission chair Dr Dvir Abramovich said the community felt “bewildered” and “mistrust”, adding the vote will be a “black mark that will haunt our nation for years to come”.

“The timing is disheartening because it undercuts the hope and reassurance felt just a day prior,” Dr Abramovich said.

“It signals a disconnect between the commitment to fighting anti-Semitism at home and the choices made on the international stage.

“Australia’s vote will embolden those who spew hatred, those who intimidate Jewish communities, those who daub swastikas on synagogues, and those who see every Jew as a target.

“The UN’s moral compass is broken, but we expected better from our own government. Instead, we are left with shame and the fear of what comes next.”

Inside the Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea which was destroyed in a firebombing attack Picture: Instagram

Zionist Federation of Australia President Jeremy Leibler said none of this was in Australia, or the western world’s, interests.

“Let’s be clear: if Israel had heeded previous calls for a ceasefire and de-escalation, Iran would be stronger, Hezbollah’s leadership would be in tact and ordering the launch of thousands of rockets into Israel, Assad would still be controlling Syria, and Sinwar remains as Hamas’ leader planning for another October 7-like attack,“ Mr Leibler said.

Originally published as Jewish community fear Australia’s support for UN resolutions will inflame anti-Semitic attack