Albo Missteps: Misunderstands Faruqi, Misses Anti-Semitism Nuance
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese today not only took a swipe at Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi but thought he’d be fashionable and set-the-trend with the appointment of Jillian Segal as Australia's inaugural special envoy on anti-Semitism.
Oh how ignorant the PM proved to be.
Albanese today showed a level of ignorance on two fronts; the first being his lack of understanding about Senator Faruqi’s position and an inability to comprehend the complex Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the other is his misguided approach to addressing anti-Semitism.
Senator Mehreen Faruqi's remarks on ABC TV’s Insiders program last Sunday, where she refrained from explicitly stating whether Hamas should be dismantled, have been twisted by the PM to suggest ambiguity on the Greens' stance regarding Israel's right to exist.
However, his interpretation is misleading. Senator Faruqi acknowledged she believes Hamas to be a terrorist organisation, emphasising the decision on its governance should be left to the Palestinian people. Her position is fixed on respecting the sovereignty and self-determination of the Palestinian people, a principle that Australia, as a democratic nation, should understand and uphold.
However, Albanese's insistence Senator Faruqi should have unequivocally denounced Hamas's role overlooks the nuanced reality of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The conflict is not merely about Hamas and what it may or may not be perceived as, but the decades of occupation, human rights abuses, and the struggle for self-determination.
The PM’s attempt to reduce the discussion to a binary stance on Hamas, demonstrates Albanese’s superficial understanding of the broader issues at play.
Furthermore, Segal's appointment as Australia's first special envoy on anti-Semitism has been lauded by the Prime Minister as a step towards combating anti-Semitism. However, her choice raises several concerns about her qualifications and the underlying intentions of the appointment.
Understanding anti-Semitism requires a deep comprehension of its historical, cultural, and social contexts. It is not merely about recognising discriminatory actions but understanding the roots and manifestations of such prejudice.
Anti-Semitism has a long history that intersects with various socio-political movements and ideologies. Appointing someone who lacks a profound and nuanced understanding of these aspects risks trivializing the issue.
Moreover, the PM's choice appears to be more about political optics than genuine commitment to combating anti-Semitism. Jillian Segal's background, primarily in corporate and legal sectors, does not necessarily equip her with the expertise required for this role.
Her appointment seems to align more with the government's desire to project an image of proactive action rather than addressing the root causes of anti-Semitism in a meaningful way.
Understanding what the term "anti-Semitism" means reveals is to recognise it is often narrowly defined to focus on Jewish people, even though "Semites" encompass a broader range of ethnic groups, including Arabs. The selective application of the term leads to a skewed perception of prejudice and discrimination.
Applied in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it’s important to recognise Palestinians, being Semites themselves, are also victims of prejudice and discrimination. The focus on anti-Semitism must not obscure the systemic injustices faced by Palestinians under Israeli occupation.
The Prime Minister's accusation that the Greens are spreading misinformation about the Israel-Gaza conflict to gain political favour is unfounded and ironic. The Greens' position, which advocates for human rights and international law, is based on well-documented evidence of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Accusing them of misinformation without substantiating these claims undermines the government's credibility and diverts attention from the factual issues at hand.
Furthermore, the PM’s suggestion Australia's influence in the Middle East is negligible is a cop-out. As a nation committed to upholding human rights, Australia has a responsibility to advocate for just and equitable solutions in international conflicts. Dismissing this responsibility underestimates Australia's potential role in fostering peace and justice.
Anthony Albanese's comments on Senator Faruqi and the appointment of Jillian Segal reflect a simplistic and politically motivated approach to complex issues. Discrediting Senator Faruqi's stance and appointing an envoy without the necessary expertise undermine efforts to address anti-Semitism effectively. A more informed and balanced approach is needed—one that recognises the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and genuinely commits to combating all forms of discrimination.
The matter of anti-Semitism or antisemitism is convoluted. Prior to the word Semitic referring to Jews it was coined to a group of languages including Aramaic and Arabic. Somewhere along the way in the 19 th century some German decided it only applied to Jews. I see no reason that the taint it carries should not be applied to Palestinians so as to emphasize the racist bigotry exemplified by the odious creep Douglas Murray.
The word terrorist has lost any valid purpose. It is a label used by bigots to justify their bigotry. Terrorism is the use of violence or the threat of it to achieve political ends. Hamas may well fall into that class but they are not alone. The US government is also terrorist as is Israeli military. France, Britain, Russia, Iran, the UAE do so as well.
Without first defining what anti-semitism means within the commissioner's brief it is impossible to see this other than political posturing. The commissioner cannot be left to define this herself.