Action on antisemitism plan

Despite Education Minister Jason Clare claiming he would delay implementing recommendations from the antisemitism plan until receiving a separate report on Islamophobia, The AJN understands antisemitism envoy Jillian Segal is already working with government on certain points.

The plan, launched by Segal alongside Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke two weeks ago, requires a whole of society approach and The AJN understands there is no expectation from the antisemitism envoy that government will respond to each individual point.

Instead, some plans have already been actioned and others are currently being addressed.

But Jewish community leaders expressed disappointment after Clare told reporters he would not look at Segal’s plan “in isolation”, saying the government would wait for the special envoy on combating Islamophobia Aftab Malik to deliver his report next month before considering recommendations.

Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council executive director Colin Rubenstein said the minister’s approach was “flawed” and showed a “lack of seriousness” in tackling the antisemitism crisis.