A detailed submission has been made to the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion by frequent The Spectator Australia contributor Andrew L. Urban, in his role as editor of the 15-year-old blog, pursuedemocracy.com

The following extracts are taken from the 2,300-word submission, which addresses sections c, d, and e of the terms of reference and the direction ‘to make any recommendations arising out of your inquiry that you consider appropriate, including recommendations about any policy, legislative, administrative, or structural reforms’.

It is submitted that the current government has conspicuously demonised Israel since October 7, 2023, which provided the political permission for a national attitudinal environment that tolerated (if not encouraged) antisemitism almost as official policy. This submission suggests that it was in that context that historical antisemitic elements – from those openly hostile to those easily led – were increasingly emboldened, feeling encouraged. The government effectively (perhaps unintentionally) provided the ‘security blanket’ for antisemitism. It would be disingenuous to deny this as a factor.

How: It began with the metaphorical shrug of the shoulders response to the infamous hate-filled demonstration on the Opera House steps the day after the Hamas massacre in Israel. There followed policy reversals, UN voting patterns, sanctions, and public criticisms of Israel’s actions.

The list below focuses on such instances, drawn from official statements, government actions, and reliable reports. Context and sources are stated where relevant. Events are roughly chronological, starting from the government’s early days.

October 18, 2022: Reversal of recognition of West Jerusalem as Israel’s Capital. Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced the reversal of the previous Coalition government’s 2018 decision to recognise West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, stating Australia would no longer move its embassy from Tel Aviv. This was seen as a ‘rebalancing’ towards Palestinian claims and drew criticism from Israel and Australian Jewish groups as a betrayal.

November 2022: Statement on ‘Rebalancing’ Approach to Israeli–Palestinian Conflict. Wong publicly described the government’s policy as a ‘rebalancing’ to emphasise Palestinian rights more explicitly, including stronger objections to Israeli settlements. This was part of broader shifts criticised as distancing Australia from Israel.

Late 2022-early 2023: Support for UN Resolution Criticising Israeli Settlements. Australia voted in favour of a UN General Assembly resolution condemning Israeli settlement policies in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, marking a departure from previous abstentions or opposition under the Coalition government.

Late 2022-early 2023: Doubling Aid to UNRWA. The government announced it would double annual funding to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) from $10 million to $20 million, supporting Palestinian refugees. This was praised by Palestinian advocates but criticised by some as indirectly aiding groups hostile to Israel (especially amid later UNRWA controversies). Back in October 2017, writing in The Spectator Australia, Urban complained that Australia, then even as a member of the UN Human Rights Council, was providing aid of $43.8 million to the Palestinian Territories, which in turn paid terrorists. In 2017, half of the US$693 million that the PA receives as foreign aid, US$345 million, was paid out as stipends to convicted terrorists and their families. The Foundation for the Care of the Families of Martyrs is dedicated to assisting an Arab who has been ‘wounded, killed, or otherwise affected as a result of their joining the revolution or the presence of the revolution’ against Israel and operates within the Palestinian Authority’s Ministry of Social Affairs. In 2016, it supported 35,100 families. David Adler of the Australian Jewish Association soon added his voice calling for this aid to be reconsidered; it was halved under the Coalition government; Labor’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong reinstated it.

August 2023: Resumption of Term ‘Occupied Palestinian Territories’. The government officially reinstated the use of ‘Occupied Palestinian Territories’ to describe the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza, reversing the previous government’s neutral phrasing. Albanese’s administration also vowed to strengthen objections to ‘illegal’ Israeli settlements and accused Israel of ‘systemic repression’ of Palestinians.

October 2023: Call for ‘Proportionality’ in Israel’s Response to Hamas Attacks. Immediately following the October 7 Hamas attacks, Albanese condemned the terrorism but emphasised that Israel’s response must be ‘proportional’ and respect international law, including protecting civilians in Gaza. This was interpreted as prematurely constraining Israel’s self-defence.

October 26, 2023: Additional Humanitarian Aid to Gaza. Days after the massacre of October 7, DFAT announced $15 million in additional aid for civilians in Gaza, the West Bank, and the region, focusing on food, water, and medicine amid Israel’s military operations. While humanitarian, it was seen as prioritising Palestinian needs over Israel’s security concerns.

February 2024: Abstention on UN Vote Condemning Israel’s Response to October 7. Australia abstained (rather than voting ‘no’) on a UN resolution criticising Israel’s military actions in Gaza following the October 7 attacks, signalling a tougher stance on Israel compared to allies like the US.

March 15, 2024: Resumption of UNRWA Funding. After a brief pause in January 2024 due to allegations of UNRWA staff involvement in the October 7 attacks, the government resumed and increased funding to UNRWA by another $6 million. This decision faced backlash from pro-Israel groups amid ongoing investigations.

November 2024: Support for UN Resolutions on Palestinian Sovereignty. Australia voted in favour of two UN draft resolutions: one affirming Palestinian sovereignty over natural resources (land, water, electricity) in occupied territories, and another demanding an end to Israel’s occupation within 12 months. This hardened stance was criticised as anti-Israel by Jewish leaders and the opposition.

December 3, 2024: Backing UN Resolution to End Israel’s Occupation. Australia split from the US to support a UN General Assembly resolution calling for Israel to end its ‘unlawful presence’ in the Occupied Palestinian Territories within six months, based on an ICJ advisory opinion. This was seen as a significant shift.
June 10-11, 2025: Sanctions on Israeli Ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich Joined by allies (Canada, NZ, Norway, UK), Australia imposed financial and travel sanctions on far-right Israeli ministers Ben-Gvir and Smotrich for allegedly inciting violence against Palestinians and supporting settlements. Israel condemned this as ‘outrageous’, and it strained relations. Albanese defended it as targeting ‘extremists’.

July 19, 2025: Criticism of Israel’s Actions in Gaza as ‘Indefensible’. Albanese stated that Israel’s actions in Gaza were ‘not self-defence and are indefensible’, amid escalating conflict. This was part of broader calls for Israel to end ‘appalling’ situations in Gaza.

July 25, 2025: Magnitsky-Style Sanctions on Israeli Settlers. Imposed targeted sanctions on seven Israeli individuals and one entity involved in settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, citing human rights abuses. This expanded on earlier measures and was criticised as interfering in Israel’s internal affairs.

July 26-27, 2025: Accusation of Israel Breaching International Law. Albanese said Israel was ‘quite clearly’ breaching international law by withholding aid from Gaza civilians, adding he would raise it directly with Netanyahu if needed. This followed reports of aid denials and civilian deaths. Israel denied the accusations.

August 12, 2025: Statement on Netanyahu Being ‘In Denial’ Over Gaza Suffering. Albanese accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of being ‘in denial’ about the suffering inflicted on Palestinians in Gaza, amid calls for a ceasefire. This personal critique was seen as escalating Australia’s criticism.

September 21-22, 2025: Formal Recognition of the State of Palestine. Prime Minister Albanese issued a statement recognising the State of Palestine, aligning with a UN General Assembly vote in September. He emphasised Australia’s historical role in Israel’s creation but pushed for Palestinian statehood as part of a two-state solution. This was hailed by Hamas and Palestinians in general but condemned by Israel as premature and rewarding terrorism.

Social Cohesion v Cultural Cohesion

The Commission is asked to examine social cohesion in the context of antisemitism.

In the Australian context, social cohesion and cultural cohesion are related but distinct concepts, especially given Australia’s history as a multicultural settler society with a strong policy focus on managing diversity.

The difference between social and cultural cohesion is best demonstrated by the difference between the social cohesion of the post-war Australian migration years, say, and the cultural divide so vividly and violently demonstrated in the aftermath of October 7. Antisemitic violence is the manifestation of a deep cultural chasm between the Judeo-Christian character of Australia pre-October 7 and the sentiments (such as ‘from the river to the sea’) expressed by the pro-Palestinian protesters. Hamas, which recite the same slogan, are characterised by the stated desire to physically destroy Israel, killing all Jews. This may be an uncomfortable notion for some, but it is hard – not to mention irresponsible – to deny.

In any case, denial will not erase the difference. Recognising it might help.

The submission respectfully recommends that:

1 The Prime Minister and all government ministers avoid making public statements that can be (mis)interpreted as antisemitic; this includes framing criticisms of Israeli policies with care to avoid the appearance of antisemitism.

2 The Prime Minister and the Home Affairs Minister respond to antisemitic attacks urgently and strongly in support of law enforcement action as a confirmation of belief in the rule of law.