The antisemitic massacre at Bondi exposed a terrifying truth: that Jewish Australians can no longer take their safety for granted. The doxing, cancellation, threats and vilification of Jewish artists, lawyers, doctors, nurses, patients and academics since October 2023 have been virulent and traumatising for many Jews. Combating hatred, intimidation and violence against Jewish Australians is an urgent national responsibility.

That makes the report from Australia’s special envoy to combat antisemitism, Jillian Segal, an important intervention. But a strategy motivated by legitimate fears can still risk making the problem harder to solve.

Segal identifies antisemitism on the far right, among Islamist extremists and on the radical left. She goes on to describe “modern, progressive antisemitism” as its most pervasive manifestation in Australia, arguing that extremist ideas gain respectability through the language of human rights and social justice.

Antisemitism can certainly masquerade as anti-Zionism. Jewish........

© The Guardian