Straya!

[NineBerry]

Words have meaning independent of their literal meaning. Antisemitism is a specific term for hatred against Jews. It was coined by German Jew-haters in the 19th century who were looking for a name for their movement that sounded science-y. It specifically means hatred of Jews so it has nothing to do with other groups who speak Semitic languages.

Current discussions about he Israel-Palestine-Conflict might have influenced the terrorists' choice of target, but them belonging to the so-called Islamic State means they have very little in common with the Palestinian cause. The IS in general does not support the Palestinian cause because they consider it as too nationalistic, too far away from their interpretation of Islam and they abhor the Hamas cooperation with Iran whom they consider to be unbelievers.

With regard to pro-Palestine protests. What do people expect from the Australian government? There is a general right to hold political protests. As long as there is no systematic criminal activity from these protests, they have the same right to protest as neo-nazis, cookers and other political groups no matter how fringe their ideas are.

[JimC]

With regard to pro-Palestine protests. What do people expect from the Australian government? There is a general right to hold political protests. As long as there is no systematic criminal activity from these protests, they have the same right to protest as neo-nazis, cookers and other political groups no matter how fringe their ideas are.

Some sections of the Australian Jewish community, plus the conservative parties want pro-Palestinian protests completely banned, which of course is a direct attack on the right to protest. However, it is also true that many of the protests have displayed clearly anti-semitic hate speech, ISIS flags etc. There is a reasonable argument that these are dangerous and inflammatory, and should somehow be curbed.

[Brian Peacock]

There should be some element of proportionality applied here I think. One or two IS flags/sympathisers shouldn't be used to delegitimise otherwise legitimate protest. We saw that in the UK after Oct 7 with the former home secretary calling demonstrations in favour of a ceasefire hate marches, and branding protestors as terrorists.

[JimC]

There have also been many examples of Jewish people, including students and children, being aggressively yelled at in the street, lots of spray paint slogans on Jewish properties (some probably from neo-Nazis, if swastikas are involved), and a general feeling of fear in the community. Pro-Palestinians should not be targeting ordinary Jewish people in Australia.

[Brian Peacock]

Again, I think an element of proportionality needs to be applied. Official responses to protests and demonstrations opposing Israel's genocidal campaign against Gazans should not be determined by a relatively small number of unsavoury elements or unhinged extremists. When our former home secretary responded to a huge demonstration calling for a ceasefire in Gaza by focusing on two incidents of protesters displaying flags bearing images of handgliders (which Hamas had used in previous attacks and was clearly provocative) they deliberately reframed the actions and intent of the vast majority of the protesters - which included families with children, trade unionists, church groups, and Holocaust survivors.

But of course, ordinary Jewish citizens should not be targeted by pro-Palestinians or neo-Nazis or anyone. Jewish citizens should not be held responsible for the actions of the Israeli state - even while that state deliberately conflates the security and well-being of Jewish people everywhere with the supposed necessity of its military action against Gazans.

[pErvinalia]

I know what I'm doing for the next 12 years.

[Svartalf]

good luck