Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has appointed Australian lawyer and businesswoman Jillian Segal AO as the new Special Envoy on anti-semitism.
Mr Albanese highlighted how Australia had witnessed a “significant rise” in anti-semitism in the country, stretching back to Hamas’ attacks on Israel on October 7.
He said its rise is why the government moved to announce a Special Envoy to combat anti-semitism.
“I’m very pleased that Jillian Segal has agreed to take up that role,” Mr Albanese said.
“Jillian has wide experience across our nation, in particular as a proud member of the Sydney Jewish community and is someone who will bring that experience she has in the business community serving on boards, engaging with government as well as with the community, to this role.”
Ms Segal said she felt “humbled and privileged” to be appointed in the role.
“Anti-semitism erodes all that is good and healthy in a society. As such, it poses a threat not just to the Jewish community, but to our entire nation,” she said.
“Unfortunately, there is no single answer to the perennial problem of anti-semitism, but the creation of this role shows a determination by the government to confront this evil and to ensure that it does not erode the goodness that exists in our society.
“It will require a national strategy, coordination between communities and all levels of government, education on what anti-semitism looks like today, and deeper engagement between the Jewish and non-Jewish communities.”
Anti-semitic acts became more prevalent in Australia last year and have continued through 2024.
The use of the chant ‘from the river to the sea’ has been used across several pro-Palestine protests while local Jewish business owners have been affected by boycotts with some businesses targeted for attacks.
The Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) said it was “delighted” by the government’s decision to appoint Ms Segal to the position and wished her “every success.”
“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,” ECAJ President Daniel Aghion KC said in a statement.
“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 assist with corresponding efforts by State and Territory governments.”
Mr Albanese clashed with a reporter on the first question he faced, when he was asked whether he took responsibility the rise of anti-semitism after being accused of “not taking a strong enough leadership and sending mixed messages when it comes to the conflict in Gaza and anti-Semitism.”
“That’s a fairly provocative question,” the Prime Minister hit back. “What I take responsibility for is my actions, which have been principled. My actions have opposed the decision, the terrorist actions, of Hamas on October 7.”
In defence, Mr Albanese argued his government condemned the Hamas attacks “unequivocally,” “constantly opposed,” called for the release of hostages, supported a ceasefire and consistently showed support for a two-state solution.
“We have called out anti-semitism whenever we have seen it…and pointing out why the targeting of businesses because they happen to be owned by people who are Jewish was entirely inappropriate. And that’s something I’ve consistently done,” he said.
“I’ve been a consistent opponent of racism my whole political life, regardless of who it is directed towards, consistent with my view that human rights need to be respected for everyone across our society.”