According to ABC, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the fight against anti-Semitism in the country in a speech he made at the Sydney Jewish Museum. Albanese announced that Jewish lawyer Jillian Segal had been appointed as the country’s first “ambassador to combat anti-Semitism.”
Anti-Muslim Attitude Will Also Be Combated
Albanese also said that an ambassador will soon be appointed to combat Islamophobia. It was also reported that the anti-Semitism ambassador will advise relevant ministries on anti-Semitism.
Concerns and Satisfactions
While the appointment was welcomed by some Jewish organisations, the Jewish Council of Australia, which is critical of Israel’s Gaza policy, described Segal’s appointment as “concerning”. The council said in a statement that Segal’s appointment could increase divisions due to the violation that he “serves the Israeli lobby”.
- The Jewish Council of Australia expressed concern that Segal was unable to distinguish between Judaism and support for Israel.
- “The ambassador of anti-Semitism (Segal) risks ignoring Jews who oppose Israel’s policies towards Palestinians,” the statement said.
