AJDS sanctions call sparks tension

The Australian Jewish Democratic Society (AJDS) has sparked fresh controversy within the Jewish community after joining pro-Palestine organisations in calling for government sanctions against Israel and immediate recognition of Palestinian sovereignty.

The joint statement appeared in advertisements published in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald on August 6, alongside organisations including the Islamic Council of Victoria, the Islamic Council of NSW, and the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils.

The advertisement accuses Israel of “genocide by killing starving and displacing Palestinians in Gaza” but makes no reference to the October 7 attacks, hostages, Hamas’s actions, or calls from Arab nations for Hamas to cease operations.

AJDS is a constituent organisation of the Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV). JCCV president Philip Zajac has requested an urgent meeting with AJDS leaders following the public call for sanctions.

“Publicly calling for sanctions against the world’s only Jewish state at a time when Israel continues to negotiate for the release of its civilian hostages, who have been held in terrible conditions for more than 600 days by Hamas, is in contravention of the JCCV’s Jewish values,” the JCCV stated.