Election 2025: Jewish leaders call on Climate 200 to come clean on Israel

Jewish leaders are calling on the major financial donor to the Teal political movement, Climate 200, to clarify the body’s position on Israel – after two staff members publicly expressed views against the Jewish state.

Climate 200 has publicly distanced themselves from the anti-Israel views of two employees but has refused to clarify the political funding body’s position on the war in the Middle East.

This masthead can reveal a member of the Climate 200 future leader program signed a letter accusing Israel of genocide that called for the commonwealth government to impose targeted sanctions.

The individual, who this masthead has chosen not to name, fundraises on behalf of Climate 200 and appeared on The Project with the backing of the funding vehicle.

Clips of the worker accusing opposition leader Peter Dutton of “mirroring Donald Trump’s strategies” on climate policy were shared on official Climate 200 social media channels including Facebook, Instagram and TikTok that called her “brilliant” in the captions.

The individual signed a Young Labor letter demanding the Left faction pressure governments to sanction Israel and condemn NSW Police for arresting pro-Palestinian protesters.

“The only member of the NSW Cabinet to publicly stand against the ongoing genocide has been Jihad Dib, a member of the NSW Right,” said the letter.

“We need all NSW Left representatives to stand up for Palestinians and support the call of Palestinian activists, Labor Friends of Palestine, Young Labor Left and elected

The backer of the Teals movement, Simon Holmes A Court, Founder of Climate 200, addresses the National Press Club of Australia in Canberra. NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Labor MPs to tell Federal and State governments to cut military ties with Israel, implement targeted sanctions, and call for a permanent and immediate ceasefire as well as an end to the illegal occupation of Gaza and the West Bank.”

The revelations come after it was reported that Climate 200 creative strategist Sean Marsh had urged his social media followers to boycott Israeli businesses and write to their local MPS demanding action on Palestine. This masthead approached Mr Marsh for comment.

A Climate 200 spokesperson said the views of the workers did not reflect the views of the fundraising vehicle but declined to comment when pressed on what the fundraising body’s views actually are.

“The views expressed by these individuals do not reflect the views of Climate 200,” he said.

Climate 200 claims not to be a political party but is backing 35 candidates at the upcoming election and contributed millions in campaign funding at the last election.

Most of the candidates are professional women and all are running on platforms of climate change, political integrity and gender equality.

While Climate 200 says it does not dictate policies, it does give funding to candidates who campaign on policies supported by the organisation.

Jewish leaders said given Climate 200 should explain its position on Israel given it was providing millions in funding to candidates, some of whom were running in seats with a high proportion of Jewish voters.

Australian/Israel Jewish Affairs Council [AIJAC] executive director Colin Rubenstein said he was concerned by the views expressed by the Climate 200 workers given it was close to several MPs and many candidates.

“It is up to their [MPs] own consciences, especially those in electorates with large Jewish communities, as to whether they choose to continue to accept funding from and work with Climate 200, or whether they should be seriously considering distancing themselves from it and in particular no longer accept its funding, as apparently David Pocock and Zali Steggall have decided,” he said.

Warringah MP Zali Steggall and Senator David Pocock have publicly said they will not accept Climate 200 funding during the election campaign while Ms Spender has previously said they will contribute less to her campaign.

“My views on the conflict overseas and my support for the Jewish community are very clear and on the record,” Ms Spender said.

“Climate 200 and their staff have no influence over my policies.”

Australian Jewish Association chief executive officer Robert Gregory said Climate 200 needed to address the “extremist anti-Israel” views among its employees.

“Given the fact that many Jewish Australians live in seats with Teal candidates funded by Climate 200 this issue is of major concern to the Jewish community,” he said.

“The Teals preach about integrity in politics so it’s not too much to expect that Climate 200 reveals where it stands on this issue.”

Wentworth has the highest proportion of Jewish voters, about 13.5 per cent according to the last census, of any electorate while Goldstein in Victoria also has a sizeable Jewish population of about 7.1 per cent.

Goldstein MP Zoe Daniel said Climate 200 was responsible for managing the organisation’s employees and answer for their behaviour.

“Regarding BDS, I do not support it, and I have never supported it,” she said.

“Penalising innocent Jewish people and businesses due to a war that is not in their control is completely wrongheaded.”

Originally published as Election 2025: Jewish leaders call on Climate 200 to come clean on Israel