The Australian royal commission on antisemitism and social cohesion heard on Monday from Jewish musicians Deborah Conway and Joshua Moshe, who testified that their Zionist beliefs made them targets of vilification and boycotts. Both were members of a WhatsApp group for Jewish creatives and academics whose contents were leaked, leading to public exposure of personal information.
Deborah Conway's Testimony
Conway, a prominent singer-songwriter from the 1980s, stated that she faced backlash for publicly declaring herself a Zionist even before the group leak. She described Zionism as central to being Jewish, emphasizing the belief that Jews have a right to exist in Israel as their ancestral homeland. Conway clarified that Zionism does not imply support for the Israeli government, yet she has endured vicious online abuse and protests at events. She told the commission: “I think that idea of anti-Zionism is, in fact, a genocidal impulse.” She added: “I support Israel’s right to exist, I don’t support all of the Israeli government’s ways of prosecuting the war. I want there to be peace, I want there to be a two-state solution … but unfortunately … at this present time, we’re not living in the land of unicorns and rainbows.”
Joshua Moshe's Experience
Moshe described the backlash as unrelated to his actual associations with Israel. He was publicly denounced and dismissed by his former band, while he and his wife faced a torrent of online abuse and boycotting of their business, which was forced to relocate. Moshe stated: “One version of Zionism, or the one I subscribe to … is that Jews deserve a home in some part of their ancestral homeland.” He said he was abandoned by the music industry, losing performance opportunities and collaborations.
Definitions of Antisemitism
Julie Nathan, research director for the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, argued that criticism of Israel is not inherently antisemitic, but invoking Nazi Germany or anti-Jewish tropes crosses the line. She noted: “No other country in the world is compared to Nazi Germany, only Israel.” Regarding pro-Palestinian protest material, she said context matters—stickers outside a synagogue or Jewish school become antisemitic.
Rise of Antisemitism
Tahli Blicblau, executive director of the Dor Foundation, testified that antisemitism had been rising for at least a decade before the October 7, 2023 attacks, but the speed and scale increased dramatically afterward. The public hearings before Commissioner Virginia Bell continue in Sydney.
