Adam Kreuzer
Jewish Affairs Adviser
Indigenous Friends of Israel International
I am pleased to provide my third contribution to the Indigenous Friends of Israel International, by way of the Jewish Community Voice for November 2024.
Recently, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong cast a vote in the United Nations General Assembly in favour of a resolution recognizing Palestinian sovereignty over territories that are unfortunately considered by many countries to be occupied by Israel, including East Jerusalem and the West Bank.
This marked a significant and alarming shift in Australia’s foreign policy, as it diverged from years of abstentions or votes against similar resolutions. Wong justified the decision as part of a broader international effort to support a two-state solution and promote lasting peace between Israel and those claiming to represent Palestinian interests.
This vote is disastrous in the eyes of the Australian Jewish Community. We argue that such actions will fuel anti-Israel sentiment in Australia, particularly within Marxist activist groups who are already so vocally critical of Israeli policies. I have a fear that endorsing resolutions framed around Palestinian sovereignty without addressing the complexities of the conflict can embolden extreme anti-Israel rhetoric and broader antisemitic narratives.
In a democratic society like Australia, the challenge lies in ensuring that political debates on international issues do not spill over into divisive or prejudiced attitudes within domestic communities. One side of the argument is ignored by the mainstream Australian media. This is the view, which I passionately support, that the Jewish people are indigenous to the land of Israel and hold legitimate biblical claims accordingly.
Jewish claims to the biblical land of Israel are rooted in religious, historical, and cultural traditions spanning thousands of years. According to the Hebrew Bible, God promised the land of Canaan to Abraham and his descendants, establishing it as a homeland for the Israelites.
This covenant is reiterated in Jewish sacred texts, such as the Torah, which outlines the divine inheritance of the land. Beyond religious texts, historical evidence, including archaeological findings, affirms the presence of Jewish kingdoms in ancient Israel, such as those of King David and Solomon.
These connections underpin Jewish identity and aspirations, contributing to the modern Zionist movement that sought to reestablish a Jewish state in the ancestral homeland, culminating in the founding of Israel in 1948.
With such an unprecedented wave of anti-Israel sentiment across Australia in 2024, the Australian Jewish Community naturally looks for friends and allies who support and advocate for our collective safety and security. This brings into focus the relationship between Indigenous and Jewish Australians and is a topic of interest worth exploring further.
The long history of mutual support of indigenous and Jewish Australians stretches back to Yorta Yorta leader William Cooper’s anti-Nazi march on the German consulate in Melbourne in 1938. Fast forward to the strange world of 2024 and we find elements within Australia’s Indigenous community who have increasingly vocalized strong opposition to Israel, with some using these critiques to amplify antisemitic narratives.
While many Indigenous advocates express solidarity with the Palestinian cause based on shared experiences of colonialism and displacement, extreme factions within this movement risk crossing the line from balanced criticism of Israeli policies to perpetuating harmful stereotypes and hostility toward Jewish Australians.
The complex relationship between Indigenous advocacy and international human rights issues stems from a shared lens of historical injustice. Many Indigenous Australians see parallels between their dispossession and the experiences of Palestinians under Israeli occupation, fostering solidarity that transcends borders. However, as this narrative gains traction, some groups have escalated their rhetoric, drawing criticism for promoting messages that align with or encourage antisemitism.
This tension has become particularly pronounced in public demonstrations, online forums, and cultural events. Protesters have been aggressively pushing the message that being anti-Zionist is a legitimate form of criticism of the State of Israel. However, I am of the view that anti-Zionism is denying the right of the State of Israel to actually exist.
Slogans and imagery invoking anti-Jewish conspiracies or historical antisemitic tropes have appeared alongside calls for Palestinian liberation, alienating Jewish Australians, including those who also support Indigenous and Palestinian rights.
The intersection of Indigenous advocacy and antisemitism has broader implications for Australian society, which prides itself on Judeo-Christian inclusivity. More broadly, politicians and communal leaders to the left of the political spectrum ignore or make excuses for the rise in antisemitic incidents, including vandalism of synagogues, online abuse, and harassment of Jewish individuals.
Senator Lidia Thorpe is an Indigenous political leader who drives the anti-Israel narrative in Canberra, expressing strong support for Palestinian rights and criticism of Israel’s policies. She has described the situation in the Palestinian territories as a “violent occupation” and referred to Israeli actions as state-sanctioned “ethnic cleansing” and “apartheid.” We must be careful not to assume that Thorpe’s hateful views represent the broad cross section of Indigenous Australians. Thorpe would like us to believe otherwise.
In her venomous speeches, Thorpe has drawn parallels between the experiences of Palestinians and Indigenous Australians, highlighting themes of dispossession and colonialism. This rhetoric has sparked significant controversy which I believe is significantly contributing to anti-Israel sentiment in Australia.
Prominent pro-Israel advocates such as Norman and Barbara Miller have sought to temper the rhetoric, emphasizing the importance of solidarity built on mutual respect and understanding. For instance, they argue that the fight for Indigenous justice in Australia should not be undermined by aligning with hateful ideologies or fostering division.
Warren Mundine is another Indigenous leader who has been vocal in his support for Israel and its right to self-determination. Mundine has pointed out the deep historical and cultural connections between Jewish people and their ancestral land, emphasizing that the establishment of modern Israel was an act of decolonization, not colonialism.
To mitigate the rise of antisemitism, it is crucial to foster education and awareness about the distinctions between balanced criticism and hate speech that incites antisemitism and blatant aggression towards Australian Jews. Respectful dialogue and mutual understanding are essential to building bridges between communities, even amid divisive global conflicts.
In navigating these challenges, Australians have an opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to ensuring that solidarity is rooted in shared humanity, not division. This represents a wonderful opportunity for Indigenous Australians and the Australian Jewish Community to come together with a common purpose, shared goals, and a collective mission.
If you are interested to hear more of my views and opinions on these critical issues, I encourage you to subscribe to my blog: adamkreuzer.com.au or contact me via email for further discussion: adamkreuzer@gmail.com