Newman warns free world is ‘living through a test’

Israel’s ambassador to Australia has called on the nation to recognise that geographical distance no longer guarantees safety and urged Australians to stand against rising antisemitism.

In a speech to the National Press Club last week, Hillel Newman said Australia had “long relied on its geographical isolation for security” but recent events demonstrated “these alone are no longer safeguards”.

“In today’s world, with radical ideologies and rapidly evolving technologies, geographical distance and even oceans are no longer guarantees of safety,” Newman said.

“Radicalised individuals can target a Nova festival in Israel or a Chanukah celebration in Sydney. These threats are real, immediate and global.”

Newman said antisemitism was “on the rise worldwide, including here in Australia, a country known for its diversity and openness”.