Ep. 366: The Royal Commission on Antisemitism: What We're Learning with Lisa Mittelman | Australia's Labor Podcast
Summary
Lisa Middleman, Director of Public Affairs for the Zionist Federation of Australia, discusses the Royal Commission into antisemitism following the Bondi Beach attack. She details how rising hostility from both the far left and right has eroded Jewish safety and belonging, particularly in progressive spaces. Middleman explains how "Zionism" is often used as a coded slur and emphasizes the community's urgent need for protection and genuine allyship.
Topics discussed
Introduction and sponsor acknowledgments
Context: Bondi attack and the Royal Commission
Guest background: Lisa Middleman's upbringing
Defining Judaism: Religion, history, and community
The shift in safety post-October 7 and Bondi
Royal Commission submissions and community fears
Behavioral changes and psychological safety
Anti-Semitism in schools and progressive spaces
Zionism as a proxy for Jewish identity
Free speech, safety, and university leadership
Hope for social cohesion and conclusion
Listen ad-free on Castria