Albo announces special anti-Semitism envoy

Former president of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry Jillian Segal has been announced as the special envoy to combat anti-Semitism.

Making the announcement at Sydney’s Jewish Museum on Tuesday morning, Anthony Albanese said Ms Segal would be tasked with coming up with measures to educate people on anti-Semitism and advise the government, in a background of “normalised” anti-Semitism since the October 7 attacks.

“The appointment of Jillian Segal is a critical step in easing the tensions that we see playing out here at home, as a result of the devastating conflict in the Middle East,” the Prime Minister said.

“Australians are deeply concerned about this conflict, and many are hurting. In times like this, Australians must come together, not be torn apart.”

Ms Segal said she would create a “strategic plan” to tackle anti-Semitism in the community, informed by consultation with both Jewish and non-Jewish groups.

She said there needed to be ongoing vigilance to “protect our tolerant and peaceful way of life”.

“Anti-Semitism erodes all that is good and healthy in a society, as such it poses a threat not just to the Jewish community, but to our entire nation,” she said.

“Anti Semitism is an age old hatred. It has the capacity to lie dormant through good times. And then in times of crisis, like pandemic (or an) economic downturn, it awakens.

“It triggers the very worst instincts in an individual to fear to blame others for life’s misfortunes and to hate and it is often based on misinformation.”

She also flagged pending legislative reform following a “serious review,” citing areas of doxing as an area of interest.

The lawyer and philanthropist will also attend the World Jewish Congress in Argentina next week.

Ms Segal will be appointed in the role for three years, with Mr Albanese saying the hopes there will not be a need “to have ongoing”.

During the announcement, Mr Albanese reinforced the importance of social cohesion, and denounced recent incidents like the vandalism of the Australian War Memorial.

“We need to continue to reinforce what are our greatest attributes and that is respect for each other, respect for diversity. A place where people are valued regardless of their gender, their faith, their sexuality, regardless of who they are,” said Mr Albanese

Mr Albanese also flagged an upcoming announcement of an Envoy on Islamophobia, however he said Ms Segal’s appointment was bought forward so she could attend the conference.