Israeli Technion students replied to a call for boycott from Sydney, Australia

By Noga Gur-Arieh
Published on May 1, 2013

Former JFS director of children and family services rejects report she shielded Australian abuser

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on April 17, 2013

When veteran social worker Debbie Fox’s name appeared in Australia’s Sydney Morning Herald on April 10, the story about her claimed she was doing the unthinkable: protecting a known abuser of children.

Developing: Jewish Family Service denies Australian news report of ‘harboring’ pedophile

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on April 12, 2013

Officials walk out of IAEA talks after Iranian cites Israeli ‘genocide’

Published on March 6, 2013

U.S., Canadian and Australian officials walked out of a meeting of the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency when the Iranian envoy accused Israel of genocide.

Report: Israel informed Australia when Zygier was arrested

Published on February 22, 2013

Israeli intelligence services notified Australian officials of Ben Zygier’s arrest immediately after he was detained, an Australian news agency reported.

Fired gay day school principal settles with school out of court

Published on February 21, 2013

The fired principal of a major Jewish school in Melbourne reached an out-of-court settlement on the eve of his unfair dismissal case in the Federal Court.

Australian Jewry praises opening of Ben Zygier’s death probe

Published on February 20, 2013

Australian Jewry’s highest body welcomed the announcements by the Australian and Israeli governments of further inquiries into the death of Ben Zygier, the Australian-Israeli national known as Prisoner X.

Australian Zionist leader blasts claims that Israel programs recruit for Mossad

Published on February 20, 2013

The Zionist Federation of Australia slammed media claims that Israel programs serve as recruitment camps for the Mossad.

Prisoner X affair raises charges of dual loyalty for Australian Jews

Published on February 20, 2013

As more details have seeped out about the mysterious life and death of Israel’s Prisoner X -- identified last week by an Australian TV program as Ben Zygier -- the wall of silence surrounding those who knew him has begun to show some cracks.

Israel denies mystery 2010 detainee spied for Australia

Published on February 19, 2013

Israel denied on Tuesday that an Australian immigrant who committed suicide in 2010 while jailed for security offenses had spied for his native country.

Report: Zygier may have told Australian intelligence about Mossad ops

Published on February 18, 2013

Suspected Israeli spy Ben Zygier may have given detailed information about his work to Australian intelligence, leading to his arrest and imprisonment in Israel, according to an Australian news program.

Melbourne sex abuse probes spread to Sydney Jewish community

Published on February 15, 2013

Allegations of child sex abuse, rampant in Melbourne’s Jewish community, have spread to Sydney, with police mounting investigations into two individuals.

Israeli lawmakers press for answers on dead Australian ‘Prisoner X’

Published on February 12, 2013

Knesset members pressed Israel's justice minister for answers on "Prisoner X," who was identified in an Australian TV report as an Australian-born Israeli who worked for the Mossad and died in an Israeli prison.

For science and U.S. jobs: Allow Israelis to visit America visa-free

Published on January 15, 2013

The majority of Americans are supportive of Israel. Still, for good reasons, many in Jewish and pro-Israel communities are deeply anxious about both the security of Israel and the future of the U.S.-Israel relationship.

Gay ex-principal sues Jewish school over dismissal

Published on November 13, 2012

One of Australia's largest Jewish schools is being sued by a former principal who claims he was the victim of unfair dismissal.

Australia UN Security Council seat

Published on October 19, 2012

Australia won a temporary two-year seat on the UN Security Council despite critics suggesting its support for Israel would hamper the bid.

Israeli group agrees to delay court action against alleged Palestinian terror front

Published on October 15, 2012

Shurat HaDin-Israel Law Center has agreed to postpone litigation against an Australian charity it accuses of being a front for a Palestinian terror organization. On Sunday, Executive Council of Australian Jewry chief executive Peter Wertheim brokered talks between representatives of Shurat HaDin and World Vision Australia.

Jewish legislator slams Australia’s U.N. Security Council bid

Published on October 15, 2012

A Jewish legislator in Australia slammed the Labor government's hypocrisy on Iran in Canberra's attempt to win a U.N. Security Council seat this week.

Joshua Bloom: His voice is more than the sum of his parts

By Rick Schultz
Published on September 11, 2012

The old theater saying that there are no small parts, only small actors, can also be said for opera. Just ask Australian bass Joshua Bloom, who was in town last month to begin rehearsals as Masetto for the Los Angeles Opera production of Mozart’s “Don Giovanni.” The opera’s seven performances run Sept. 22 through Oct. 14 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

Australian Jews balk at ‘Breaking the Silence’ abuse reports

Published on August 29, 2012

Australian Jewish officials lashed out at a group of former Israeli soldiers who reported abuses they witnessed while serving in the Palestinian territories.

$20,000 fund to advance Jewish innovation in Australia

Published on August 29, 2012

A $20,000 fund to advance Jewish innovation in Australia was launched by the ROI Community, a global network of young Jewish innovators, and Australian Jewish Funders.

Australian woman, 96, making aliyah calls it ‘a dream come true’

Published on August 28, 2012

A 96-year-old woman from Australia is immigrating to Israel.

Australian Foreign Minister tells Tehran delegates to walk out if anti-Semtism

Published on August 23, 2012

Jewish community leaders in Australia are angry that the government is sending delegates to a summit in Iran, though they have been instructed to walk out at the first sign of "anti-Semitic rhetoric."

Jewish day school apologizes to child sex abuse victims

Published on August 22, 2012

The Orthodox Jewish school in Melbourne embroiled in a child sex abuse scandal apologized "unreservedly" to the victims.

Australian bank executive apologizes for calling Hitler a ‘visionary’

Published on August 20, 2012

A senior banker at one of Australia's largest investment banks apologized for suggesting that Hitler was a great visionary.

Australian Israeli film festival expanding

Published on August 17, 2012

The annual Israeli Film Festival will for the first time be screened in major Australian cities beyond Sydney and Melbourne.

Australian court’s failure to extradite alleged ex-Nazi raises ire, questions

Published on August 15, 2012

In a court ruling that is bringing new attention to Australia’s failure to prosecute alleged Nazi-era war criminals, the government will not surrender to Hungary the man believed to be the country’s last World War II war crimes suspect.

Suspected war criminal escapes extradition from Australia on legal technicality

Published on August 15, 2012

Australia's highest court has ruled not to extradite suspected war criminal Charles Zentai to his native Hungary.

Raisman, Down Under athletes soar among Jewish Olympians

Published on August 7, 2012

U.S. gymnast Aly Raisman and athletes from Down Under were the story for Jewish sports fans at the London Olympics.

Down under, a furor over a Jewish publisher’s attack on boat people, Muslims

Published on August 7, 2012

An article on illegal boat people by the publisher of Australia's main Jewish newspaper has ignited a storm of protest, with some critics savaging it for "vilifying Muslims" and promoting "xenophobic, Islamophobic and heartless sentiments."

Australian sprinter Steven Solomon advances to 400-meter finals

Published on August 6, 2012

Australian sprinter Steven Solomon qualified for the Olympics 400 meters final with a second consecutive personal best time.

Two Australian BDS protesters found guilty of assault

Published on July 30, 2012

Two anti-Israel activists arrested in Melbourne last year were found guilty of assaulting police.

Australian Jewish leaders call for national minute of silence

Published on July 24, 2012

Australian Jewish leaders have urged all Australians to hold a moment of silence in honor of the 11 Israelis murdered at the 1972 Munich Olympics.

Racism scandal dogs Australia’s only Jewish Olympic athlete

Published on July 17, 2012

The only Jewish athlete on Australia's Olympic team unwittingly has been drawn into a racism scandal on the eve of the London Games.

In personal letter, Australia’s PM urges Olympic moment of silence

Published on July 16, 2012

Australia's Prime Minister wrote a personal letter to the president of the International Olympic Committee, urging him to hold a moment of silence in memory of the 11 Israelis killed at the Munich Games in 1972.

Israeli thanks Australia for backing Olympics moment of silence

Published on July 6, 2012

Israel's deputy foreign minister thanked Australia for supporting the campaign to urge the International Olympic Committee to hold a minute's silence at the London Games in honor of the 11 Israelis murdered in Munich in 1972.

Australia awards Jewish schools $4.7 million in aid

Published on July 2, 2012

The Australian government has given $4.7 million in aid for safety upgrades to 13 Jewish schools.

Ethicist Peter Singer awarded Australia’s highest honor

Published on June 11, 2012

Peter Singer, a U.S.-based philosopher and ethicist, was awarded Australia’s highest honor.

Pro-Palestinian protests mar Israel celebration in Melbourne

Published on June 7, 2012

A crowd of angry pro-Palestinian demonstrators in Melbourne marred the annual celebration of Israel's independence.

Australia’s poor record prosecuting Nazis highlighted by pending Karoly Zentai case

Published on June 5, 2012

When Australia’s highest court soon rules on whether the 90-year-old Karoly “Charles” Zentai should be extradited to Hungary, it likely will be passing judgment on the last known Nazi war criminal suspect residing in the country.

Australia giving $90 million to Palestinian refugees

Published on May 30, 2012

Australia is donating $90 million over five years to aid the health and education of Palestinian refugees.

Trial of Israel boycott backers begins in Australia

Published on May 3, 2012

The trial of 19 pro-Palestinian protesters backing an Israel boycott began in Australia.

Australia to ask U.S. to extradite alleged child molester

Published on April 3, 2012

Australian police plan to ask U.S. authorities to extradite a former teacher at a Melbourne Jewish school over a child sex abuse scandal.

Australian broadcaster rejects ‘Promise’ complaints

Published on February 3, 2012

An Australian TV broadcaster rejected complaints from Jewish groups that a controversial series "endorses and reinforces demeaning stereotypes about Jews."

Ben Lewin’s ‘The Surrogate’ wins at Sundance, and beyond

By Naomi Pfefferman
Published on January 31, 2012

Sacks on last official visit to Australia

Published on January 23, 2012

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks arrived in Australia on his last official visit as chief rabbi of the commonwealth before stepping down after two decades in his post.

Polio survivor’s new film explores sexual surrogacy

By Naomi Pfefferman
Published on January 18, 2012

Joint Australian, British delegation meets Netanyahu, Fayyad

Published on January 17, 2012

A joint delegation of Australian and British parliamentarians met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Palestinian counterpart, Salam Fayyad. The delegation, organized by Australian businessman and philanthropist Albert Dadon, was in Israel for the first edition of the Australia-United Kingdom-Israel Leadership Forum.

Australian Jewish leaders ‘appalled’ by neo-Nazi festival

Published on January 10, 2012

Jewish community leaders in Australia are appalled that a neo-Nazi music festival has been allowed to go ahead in Queensland.

Former Australian head of state, Sir Zelman Cowen, mourned

Published on December 13, 2011

More than 1,000 people, including Australia's prime minister and three former prime ministers, bid farewell to former Governor-General Sir Zelman Cowen.

Sir Zelman Cowen dies

Published on December 9, 2011

Australia's Jewish former governor-general, Sir Zelman Cowen, has died.

Australia expands sanctions against Iran

Published on December 7, 2011

Australia imposed expanded sanctions on Iran as concerns escalated over the Islamic Republic's nuclear program.

Israeli man jailed for robbing Australian parking meters

Published on November 15, 2011

An Israeli man was jailed for up to four years for stealing nearly $150,000 from parking meters in Melbourne.

Boycotting Israel ‘disgraceful’ says Aussie judge

Published on November 11, 2011

An Australian judge described a boycott Israel as "disgraceful" in dismissing charges against the son of Holocaust survivors.

Australian Jewish youth leader arrested for child molestation

Published on October 19, 2011

A former Chabad-Lubavitch youth leader was arrested in Melbourne for allegedly molesting a child.

Fire seriously damages Sydney synagogue

Published on October 4, 2011

A fire severely damaged a synagogue in Sydney on the first night of Rosh Hashanah.

Pollard reportedly offered to spy for Australia

Published on September 20, 2011

Jonathan Pollard, the Jewish American jailed for spying for Israel, reportedly first offered classified information to Australia.

Jewish burial society live-streams funerals

Published on September 15, 2011

A Jewish burial society in Australia is believed to be the first in the world to offer live web streaming of funerals over the Internet.

Australian lawmakers debate Israel boycott

Published on September 13, 2011

A bitter war of words erupted in Australia’s parliament after some lawmakers were accused of condoning the Israel boycott, which was compared to Nazi-era policies.

Australian rabbi blows shofar at 9/11 ceremony

Published on September 12, 2011

A Sydney rabbi sounded the shofar in a major cathedral in the Australian city to mark the 10th anniversary of 9/11.