Education best defence in fighting ignorance of anti-Semitism

Angela Shanahan is right to question how anti-Semitism can fit into an “already overcrowded curriculum” (“Dump ideology, bring history back into the classroom”, 12/7). It surely cannot be a stand-alone subject: it will require context, referring to upwards of 3000 years of documented history. However, given that 65,000 years of orally recorded Aboriginal history is mandated by the Australian Curriculum Authority, along with the equally compulsory Asian and environmental strands for all subjects, it would seem no less fair, and no less necessary in these troubled times, to devote attention to those 3000 years. It’s a pity we don’t have Sunday schools, as we did in my youth: my fellow scholars in those days never needed education in something called “anti-Semitism”.

Neville Clark, Battery Point, Tas

Angela Shanahan is right to claim that not knowing history can lead to prejudice – including anti-Semitism. But we shouldn’t wait until high school to deal with it. I still remember many years ago learning in primary school about the customs and culture of Aboriginal people. Back then, they seemed very different from the mostly white, Christian community around us, but we were taught to respect those differences – and for many of us that lesson stuck. Jewish Australians have been part of this country for generations, but many students only hear about them in the context of Middle East conflicts. Without some background – about the Holocaust, how Israel came to be, or even basic things like Jewish holidays – it’s easy for confusion and bias to spread, especially online.

If we once aimed for multicultural understanding, we now risk breaking off into separate groups. Building unity means teaching kids not just to “tolerate” each other, but to actually learn about one another – including the Jewish community. This also matters on the world stage. Rising anti-Semitism, especially on campuses, could hurt Australia’s image – and even affect tourism, education and trade. Teaching the facts early is the best defence. Understanding beats slogans every time.

John Kempler, Rose Bay, NSW

Hateful ideologies must be exorcised

Michael Gawenda’s powerful article exposes the reality of anti-Semitism in Australia (“No returning to the golden land for Jews any time soon”, 12-13/7). It lays bare the extreme left’s embrace of a pro-Hamas, pro-Palestine, anti‑Zionist and anti-Israel ideology – sadly adopted by several political groupings, such as the Greens (blatantly anti-Semitic), the teals, and Labor’s hard left.

This has become the fashionable cause du jour, amplified by left-wing social media bubbles and algorithms that feed the younger generation, the northern beaches set, and inner-city fashionistas with confirmation bias disguised as moral certainty. If we are to stop anti-Semitic attacks on Jewish people, schools, businesses and synagogues, we need tough, immediate action. Behind these attacks lies not only Islamist ideology but also neo-Marxist ideas, leftist politics and social campaigns that threaten Australia’s cohesion. These must be confronted and eradicated. Let’s reclaim the Australia we love – a safe place for all minorities, including Australian Jews.

Lee Smith, Kenmore, Qld

Michael Gawenda shows that unbiased and fair-minded non-Jewish Australians also feel they no longer live or recognise the pre -October 7, 2023 golden land of Australia.

Susan Hunter, Point Cook, Vic

German visitors’ risky sense of adventure

Thank goodness the young German tourist has been located (“Missing German backpacker found ‘safe, well’ ”, 12-13 July). Last year, while visiting the Northern Territory, I asked a local tour guide why many of the safety signs in NT outback areas such as crocodile-inhabited waterways are in German as well as English. The tour guide explained that was because German tourists are “the most adventurous” of our overseas visitors. I scoffed at the time. But the tour guide was correct

Riley Brown, Bondi Beach, NSW

Cook’s hypocrisy

Premier Cook might plead for WA public support for exporting LNG to help Asia decarbonise, but this is hypocrisy writ large so long as his government bans the mining of WA’s significant uranium resources. Nuclear power is a far more effective way to decarbonise for the obvious reason that it creates zero carbon dioxide emissions, and nuclear energy is expanding fast throughout Asia, and particularly in China. It is also pure hypocrisy for Mr Holmes à Court and the WA teal MP to oppose both LNG exports and nuclear power for WA. Their logic escapes me.

Stan Yeaman, Perth WA