The Australian Jewish News (AJN) has removed an article that criticised the treatment of Sarah Schwartz, executive officer of the Jewish Council of Australia, by members of the Jewish community. The piece, written by regular AJN contributor and lawyer Nomi Kaltmann, was commissioned by editor-in-chief Gareth Narunsky and published online on Friday 3 July. It was taken down without explanation on Monday, though the URL headline remains visible. Kaltmann subsequently republished the article on her personal website.
Article Content and Removal
Kaltmann's piece, headlined "Every Jew, regardless of politics, remains part of our people," expressed dismay at the treatment of Schwartz during her testimony at the royal commission on antisemitism and social cohesion. Despite acknowledging political differences, Kaltmann wrote that watching Schwartz's testimony was "extremely upsetting." She argued that using terms like "kapo" or comparing someone to a rat undermines moral authority, stating: "No matter how strongly you disagree with someone’s politics, using language like this means that you have become part of the problem."
Schwartz has faced criticism from within the Jewish community, including being labelled with the German word Judenrat and depicted as a rat. Kapo is an insult referring to Jews who allegedly collaborated with Nazis in concentration camps. Kaltmann told Weekly Beast the removal reflects a broader issue of declining civil discourse, saying: "I don’t think what I wrote was controversial or edgy. I think it was a much-needed message for people to remember to speak to everyone with respect."
Publisher Intervention
Rival community newspaper the Jewish Independent reported that Narunsky was instructed to remove the article by Publisher Bob Magid and Director Anna Pasternak after complaints about publishing a piece that defended Schwartz. Narunsky, Magid, and Pasternak did not respond to requests for comment.
Media Industry Updates
In other media news, News Corp Australia's national political editor role remains unfilled nine months after Clare Armstrong resigned to join the ABC. The position, described as covering all Murdoch tabloids with limited resources, has been advertised since October last year.
Politico has hired three reporters for its Canberra Playbook, launching 17 August. Former Guardian Australia chief political correspondent Paul Karp joins as editor, alongside Finn McHugh and Miriam Webber as co-authors. The newsletter will cover federal parliamentary politics and policy.
Liberal party member Terry Barnes wrote an error-filled column in the Australian Financial Review about the John Pesutto and Moira Deeming defamation case. Barnes incorrectly stated Pesutto expelled Deeming (the expulsion was a party room vote) and claimed the damages cost Pesutto his seat, causing a by-election—Pesutto remains in his seat and stepped down as opposition leader, not as MP. The AFR corrected the expulsion error but not the other mistakes.
ABC Ombudsman at Royal Commission
ABC ombudsman Fiona Cameron appeared at the royal commission on Thursday, revealing she is "investigating something" after a special request from the ABC board, unrelated to Middle East conflicts. She also stated that journalists are not always best suited to investigate journalism complaints, noting difficulty in employing journalists for that role and encouraging internal and external applicants for an open position.
Meanwhile, News Corp's Daily Telegraph provided glowing coverage of One Nation leader Pauline Hanson's UK meeting with far-right activist Tommy Robinson, with headlines like "Brave Pauline gets Tommy’s approval" and an editorial describing the pub meeting with Holly Valance as a "compelling cultural moment."
