The ECAJ, the peak national body of the Jewish community, has hailed the Australian government’s decision to appoint a Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism, and to appoint the ECAJ’s Immediate Past President Jillian Segal AO to the position. “The ECAJ strongly supports the appointment of an Australian envoy to Combat Antisemitism”, said ECAJ President Daniel Aghion KC. “We commend Prime Minister Albanese and his government for taking this initiative in response to the unprecedented surge of antisemitism that has occurred in Australia and other western countries since the atrocities committed by Hamas in Israel, and the war started by it, on 7 October 2023.”
“These developments have threatened the safety and security not only of Australia’s Jewish community but also of Australia as a whole and its future as a peaceful, free, cohesive, and tolerant multicultural society,” Mr Aghion said.
“A Special Envoy will be able to investigate, and report to government on the nature, extent and impact of antisemitism in Australia, and will make recommendations to counteract it.”
“We have seen antisemitism rear its ugly head on Australian campuses, in schools, in the media and social media, in the arts and culture sector and other parts of society”, Mr Aghion noted.
“The Special Envoy will provide the Federal government with the research, evidence and advice it needs to inform the development of targeted and co-ordinated policies, legislative proposals and programs which will address antisemitism, and counteract the harms and social divisions it causes, and to assist with corresponding efforts by State and Territory governments.”
“We are delighted that Jillian Segal AO has been appointed to this important position. She will bring deep knowledge of the issues and immense energy to the role, and we are confident that she will carry out her duties with integrity and distinction. We wish her every success in undertaking this vital work for the betterment of Australian society.”
