Freedland: Jews must not abandon the left

Jonathan Freedland, who writes a column for The Guardian, will appear in Melbourne on Tuesday 3 March and Sydney on Wednesday 4 March.

In an interview ahead of his visit, Freedland said he would be arriving “in part in listening mode” and “very keen to hear and learn from the Australian Jewish community.”

He acknowledged the particular trauma faced by Australian Jews, noting that “in Australia, it’s obviously a very sharp and intense example because of Bondi.”

The journalist, who describes himself as broadly being on the left, addressed whether October 7 had undercut support for the left among Jews worldwide.

“I think that probably has happened,” he said, noting “there was definitely disappointment among many Jews, including Jews on the left, that the formal institutions or movements associated with the left were not there for the Jewish community in solidarity after October 7.”

He cited feminist groups who “were not sufficiently appalled by the evidence of sexual violence on October 7, and hesitated, or worse, when it came to solidarity with Jewish women.”

However, Freedland argued against Jews disengaging from left-wing institutions.

“I think there are some Jews who feel as if we should just now walk away from those institutions and surround ourselves only with people who already agree with us. I think that’s a grave mistake.”

He warned that alienating young Jews could have serious consequences.

“You’ve got a next generation whose conscience is pricked by the plight of Palestinians. If they do not have an outlet for that within the Jewish pro-Israel community, they will simply take those feelings outside and consider themselves hostile to the whole project of Israel.”

Jonathan Freedland will appear at events hosted by NIF Australia and The Jewish Independent. Further info: nif.org.au/freedland_tour_2026