John Anderson: Conversations

No Longer The Lucky Country For Jews | Julian Leeser

20 snips
Dec 12, 2025
Julian Leeser, a Liberal Party MP and expert on legal issues, discusses the alarming rise of anti-Semitism in Australia. He traces its historical roots and links it to recent global events, specifically after the October 7 attacks. Leeser critiques the Australian government's responses, accusing it of legitimizing extremism and failing to protect its Jewish community. He also emphasizes the crucial need for foreign policy that aligns with democratic values and warns against the normalization of anti-Israel sentiments in universities and arts.
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INSIGHT

Evolution Of Antisemitism

  • Anti-Semitism has evolved from religious prejudice to racial theories and now to delegitimising Israel as a nation-state.
  • Julian Leeser argues modern antisemitism often targets Israel's existence rather than individual Jews.
INSIGHT

Conspiracy At The Heart Of Antisemitism

  • Antisemitism often includes conspiracy narratives that explain societal problems by blaming Jews.
  • Leeser highlights conspiracies as a defining and persistent feature distinct from other racisms.
ANECDOTE

Jewish Presence Since Australia’s Founding

  • Jews have been present in Australia since the First Fleet and held early public offices.
  • Julian Leeser cites Sir Saul Samuel as the first minister of the crown in the British Empire in 1860.
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