The Age and Sydney Morning Herald have reported on ABL partner Jeremy Leibler’s personal submission to the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, highlighting the submission's moving description of the impact of rising antisemitism on Jewish Australians as an erosion of psychological safety once taken for granted.
Jeremy explains how political hesitation in responding to antisemitic rhetoric since October 7, 2023 has allowed racial hatred to become normalised, contributing to an environment in which Jewish Australians have increasingly experienced exclusion, intimidation and abuse.
Drawing on his role as a partner at Arnold Bloch Leibler, which has acted pro bono for clients experiencing antisemitism and discrimination, Jeremy cites diverse examples of Jewish Australians being targeted across schools, universities, workplaces, the arts, health settings and community organisations.
A central theme of the submission is the use of the term “Zionist” as a proxy for “Jew”, which Jeremy describes as a tactic that "launders" antisemitism into acceptable speech.
- To read Jeremy's full submission, click here.
- To read coverage in the Sydney Morning Herald, click here.
- To read coverage in The Age, click here.
Image Credit: Chris Hopkins
