Shayne Chester
One more time. The Federal Court has just found criticising Israel, the IDF, and Zionism over the genocide in Gaza, is NOT antisemitic.
Specifically,
1. "Political criticism of Israel, however inflammatory or adversarial, is not by its nature criticism of Jews in general or based on Jewish racial or ethnic identity."
2. "Disparagement of Zionism constitutes disparagement of a philosophy or ideology and not a race or ethnic group."
This marks a considerable shift in the sands under the Z lobby, which traditionally had absolute influence over the courts, partly due to the large portion of Zews in the legal profession.
Lattouf's unexpected win was another.
I'm 'evidence-based' but here's a short history of wins that pro-Palestinians may not be aware of.
Polling by Essential and other firms shows growing Australian sympathy for Palestinians, especially since the 2023–25 Gaza war. Surveys in early 2024 indicated a plurality of Australians opposed unconditional support for Israel and favoured an immediate ceasefire.
Mainstream awareness of the term “apartheid” applied to Israel has increased, largely due to advocacy by Palestinian groups, human rights NGOs, and supporters. This judgement affirms that.
Multiple local councils, including Melbourne’s Merri-bek and Sydney’s Inner West, passed motions calling for a ceasefire and condemning Israel’s attacks on Gaza, despite fierce backlash from pro-Israel groups.
A handful of trade unions — including the Victorian Greens-aligned United Workers Union — issued statements condemning Israeli actions and calling for an arms embargo.
A few artists, academics, and small businesses publicly withdrew from Israeli-sponsored events or collaborations in solidarity with BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions), although no government-level BDS has occurred.
Journalists and commentators such as Amy McQuire and Michael Brull began to reframe discussions around colonialism and Indigenous solidarity with Palestine.
Legal experts and human rights lawyers have used evidence of Israel’s war crimes in Gaza to build cases arguing Australia’s complicity if it exports arms or surveillance tools used in occupied territories, laying the groundwork for future challenges.
Some MPs, notably in the Greens (e.g., Senator Mehreen Faruqi) and independents, shifted parliamentary debate on Palestine, forcing Labor and Liberal politicians to respond.
Indigenous activists and groups like Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance (WAR) have strengthened cross-movement solidarity, comparing Israel’s treatment of Palestinians to Australia’s settler-colonial history — a powerful narrative shift that resonates with many Australians.
The pro-Palestine lobby in Australia has achieved cultural and grassroots wins — changing conversations, mobilising huge protests, and pressuring local councils — but has not yet shifted national policy or secured government-level support for Palestine.
Despite these wins, Australia’s government continues military and intelligence cooperation with Israel; major parties avoid challenging Israeli policies directly; and there has been no move to suspend free trade or arms sales.
Geoff Holland
The universities will have to change their definition and policies.
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Shayne Chester
Geoff Holland Their definition and policies do not prohibit criticism of Israel or support for Palestinian rights. But, universities are grappling with a few, very loud powerful Zews for whom criticism of Israel always crosses into antisemitism. I miaagine that is purely financial for the unis - the Susan and Isaac Wakil Foundation, a Jewish family foundation, made a record donation of over $27 million to the University of Sydney
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