Australia Studies Hate Against Jewish People

May 11, 2026, 10:41
AustraliaPolitics
A2

Australia Studies Hate Against Jewish People

Introduction

A group of experts met in Sydney. They want to find out if Jewish people are safe in Australia.

Main Body

Some people lost their jobs because they like Israel. Two musicians said people stopped hiring them. Some people also protested at their shows. Children are also in trouble. One child said other students were mean to them on the internet. A father said his daughter was hurt at a holiday party. Experts talked about hate. They said it is okay to disagree with a government. But it is not okay to use hate words or talk about Nazis to hurt people.

Conclusion

The group is still collecting stories. They want to make Australia a safe place for everyone.

Learning

⚡ The 'Past' Pattern

Look at how the story tells us things that already happened. We change the action word to show it is finished.

The Rule: Add -ed to the end of the word.

  • meet → meeted (Wait! This one is special: met)
  • want → wanted
  • protest → protested
  • talk → talked

🛠️ Useful 'People' Words

In this text, we see different groups of people. Use these to describe who is in your story:

  • Experts → People who know a lot about one thing.
  • Musicians → People who play music.
  • Students → People who go to school.

💡 Simple Logic: 'Safe' vs 'Trouble'

Two opposite ideas from the text:

  • Safe →\rightarrow No danger. (Example: Australia is a safe place.)
  • In trouble →\rightarrow Having a problem. (Example: The children are in trouble.)

Vocabulary Learning

experts (n.)
People who know a lot about a subject.
Example:The experts gave advice about safety.
Sydney (n.)
The largest city in Australia.
Example:Many tourists visit Sydney.
Israel (n.)
A country in the Middle East.
Example:She studied the history of Israel.
musicians (n.)
People who play musical instruments.
Example:Musicians performed at the concert.
protested (v.)
Showed disagreement by making a public demonstration.
Example:They protested against the new rule.
internet (n.)
A global network that lets people send messages and find information.
Example:He searched for news on the internet.
holiday (n.)
A day of celebration or rest.
Example:They had a party on the holiday.
hate (v.)
To feel strong dislike for someone or something.
Example:He said he hates the new policy.
government (n.)
The group that runs a country.
Example:The government announced new rules.
stories (n.)
Narratives or accounts of events.
Example:They shared their stories at the meeting.
B2

Royal Commission Investigates Antisemitism and Social Unity in Australia

Introduction

The Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion has held public hearings in Sydney to examine how common anti-Jewish sentiment is and how it affects Australian society.

Main Body

The hearings focused on the link between political beliefs and personal safety. Musicians Deborah Conway and Joshua Moshe testified that expressing Zionist beliefs has led to professional problems. Ms. Conway reported losing performance opportunities and facing protests, while Mr. Moshe explained how his business and professional partnerships suffered after private messages were leaked. These stories suggest that supporting Israel's right to exist is often confused with supporting government policy, which leads to financial and social consequences for individuals. Furthermore, evidence showed that antisemitism is spreading in schools and online. A young person testified about being harassed by peers on the Discord platform using old antisemitic stereotypes. The commission also looked at the psychological effects of violence, such as the injuries Rabbi Menachem Dadon's daughter suffered during a Hanukkah event. Additionally, Rabbi Daniel Rabin noted that more people are asking if it is still safe to live in Australia, which suggests that social stability is decreasing. Finally, experts Tahli Blicblau and Julie Nathan provided frameworks to help identify antisemitism. Ms. Blicblau emphasized that while antisemitism existed before October 7, 2023, it has increased rapidly since then. Ms. Nathan, from the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, explained the difference between criticizing the Israeli government and antisemitism. She asserted that using Nazi comparisons or traditional anti-Jewish tropes is a clear sign of antisemitism, especially when used to target Jewish people or institutions.

Conclusion

The commission is continuing to collect evidence to understand the scale of antisemitism in Australia and to see if current efforts to maintain social unity are working.

Learning

⚡ The 'B2 Jump': Moving from Basic to Precise

At an A2 level, you might say: "People are mean to Jewish people in schools." At a B2 level, we use Complex Cause-and-Effect phrasing to show how one thing leads to another.

🔍 The Linguistic Pattern: "X leads to Y"

In the text, we see this high-level structure:

"...expressing Zionist beliefs has led to professional problems."

Why this is B2: Instead of using simple words like "and then" or "so," B2 speakers use verbs like lead to, result in, or cause to create a professional bridge between an action and its consequence.

🛠️ How to upgrade your sentences

A2 (Basic)B2 (Precise)The Logic
It is raining, so the game stopped.The rain led to the cancellation of the game.Action →\rightarrow Result
He didn't study and he failed.A lack of study resulted in a failing grade.Absence →\rightarrow Consequence
I was late and my boss was angry.My tardiness caused a conflict with my manager.Behavior →\rightarrow Reaction

💡 Pro Tip: The 'Abstract' Subject

Notice that in the B2 version, the subject isn't always a person. It is often an idea or a situation:

  • "Expressing beliefs" (Action) →\rightarrow led to →\rightarrow "professional problems" (Result).

Try this shift: Stop starting every sentence with "I" or "He." Start with the situation, then use "led to" to describe the outcome. This is the fastest way to sound more academic and fluent.

Vocabulary Learning

commission (n.)
A group of people officially appointed to investigate or decide on a particular issue.
Example:The Royal Commission was tasked to investigate antisemitism in Australia.
hearings (n.)
Public meetings where witnesses give evidence and experts give opinions.
Example:The hearings in Sydney attracted many community members.
examine (v.)
To look at something closely in order to understand it better.
Example:The commission will examine how anti‑Jewish sentiment affects society.
sentiment (n.)
A feeling or opinion about something.
Example:Negative sentiment towards a group can lead to discrimination.
affect (v.)
To influence or change something.
Example:The protests may affect the musician’s career.
society (n.)
The community of people living in a particular area.
Example:Australia’s society is diverse and multicultural.
link (n.)
A connection or relationship between two things.
Example:There is a link between political beliefs and personal safety.
beliefs (n.)
Ideas or convictions that someone accepts as true.
Example:Musicians expressed their Zionist beliefs during the hearings.
personal (adj.)
Relating to an individual rather than to a group or institution.
Example:Personal safety can be threatened by hate speech.
safety (n.)
The state of being protected from danger or harm.
Example:The hearings focused on how political beliefs affect personal safety.
musicians (n.)
People who play musical instruments or sing professionally.
Example:Deborah Conway and Joshua Moshe are musicians who testified.
testified (v.)
To give evidence or speak in court or a public hearing.
Example:They testified about the impact of antisemitism on their careers.
expressing (v.)
To convey or show feelings, ideas, or beliefs.
Example:Expressing Zionist beliefs led to professional problems.
professional (adj.)
Relating to a job or occupation that requires special training.
Example:Professional opportunities disappeared after the protest.
protests (n.)
Public demonstrations of objection or opposition.
Example:The musician faced protests after expressing his beliefs.
partnerships (n.)
Business relationships or collaborations between people or companies.
Example:His business partnerships suffered after messages were leaked.
suffered (v.)
To experience pain, loss, or hardship.
Example:He suffered financial losses due to the controversy.
messages (n.)
Communications sent between people, often electronically.
Example:Private messages were leaked, causing further harm.
leaked (v.)
To be released or made public without permission.
Example:The leaked messages revealed sensitive information.
stories (n.)
Narratives or accounts of events or experiences.
Example:The stories highlighted the real impact of antisemitism.
suggest (v.)
To propose or imply something.
Example:These stories suggest that antisemitism is widespread.
supporting (v.)
To give help or approval to something.
Example:Supporting Israel’s right to exist is often misunderstood.
existence (n.)
The state of being real or living.
Example:The debate centers on Israel’s existence as a nation.
government (n.)
The group of people who run a country or state.
Example:Criticising the Israeli government can be a sensitive issue.
policy (n.)
A set of principles or rules that guide decisions.
Example:The policy on hate speech is still being discussed.
financial (adj.)
Relating to money or economics.
Example:Financial consequences can include loss of income.
consequences (n.)
Results or effects of an action or event.
Example:The protests had social and financial consequences.
evidence (n.)
Information or proof that shows something is true.
Example:The commission collected evidence of antisemitic incidents.
spreading (v.)
The act of increasing in amount or reach.
Example:Antisemitism is spreading in schools and online.
schools (n.)
Places where children and young people receive education.
Example:Students reported antisemitic bullying at their schools.
online (adv.)
Using the internet or digital networks.
Example:Many antisemitic messages are shared online.
harassed (v.)
To be subjected to repeated unwanted attention or intimidation.
Example:The young person was harassed by peers on Discord.
peers (n.)
People of the same age or social group.
Example:Peers can influence each other's attitudes.
platform (n.)
A medium or service where people can communicate or share content.
Example:Discord is a popular platform for online chats.
stereotypes (n.)
Oversimplified or fixed ideas about a group of people.
Example:Old antisemitic stereotypes were used in the harassment.
psychological (adj.)
Relating to the mind or mental processes.
Example:The commission studied the psychological effects of violence.
effects (n.)
The results or impacts of an action or event.
Example:The injuries had lasting psychological effects.
injuries (n.)
Physical harm or damage to the body.
Example:The daughter suffered injuries during the event.
event (n.)
A planned public or social gathering.
Example:The Hanukkah event was attended by many community members.
stability (n.)
The state of being steady or not changing quickly.
Example:Social stability is decreasing due to rising tensions.
experts (n.)
People with special knowledge or skill in a particular area.
Example:Experts provided frameworks to identify antisemitism.
frameworks (n.)
Structured plans or systems used to analyze or solve problems.
Example:The frameworks help to understand complex social issues.
identify (v.)
To recognize or determine the nature of something.
Example:The commission can identify patterns of hate speech.
emphasized (v.)
To give special importance or attention to something.
Example:She emphasized that antisemitism had increased rapidly.
increased (adj.)
Became more or larger in amount or intensity.
Example:The number of incidents increased after the event.
rapidly (adv.)
Very quickly or at a fast pace.
Example:The situation changed rapidly over a short period.
difference (n.)
The way in which two or more things are not the same.
Example:The difference between criticism and hate is subtle.
criticizing (v.)
To express disapproval or point out faults.
Example:Criticizing the government can be a political act.
comparisons (n.)
Statements that show similarities between two things.
Example:Using Nazi comparisons is a clear sign of antisemitism.
traditional (adj.)
Relating to customs or beliefs that have been passed down for a long time.
Example:Traditional anti‑Jewish tropes are still used today.
tropes (n.)
Commonly used expressions or themes, often in literature or media.
Example:Tropes can reinforce harmful stereotypes.
sign (n.)
A clear indication or evidence of something.
Example:The sign of antisemitism is often subtle.
target (v.)
To aim at or focus on someone or something.
Example:The hate speech targets Jewish people and institutions.
institutions (n.)
Established organizations or systems, such as schools or churches.
Example:Institutions can be affected by discrimination.
continuing (v.)
To keep going or persist over time.
Example:The commission is continuing to collect evidence.
collect (v.)
To gather or bring together items or information.
Example:They collect reports from victims to build a case.
scale (n.)
The size, extent, or level of something.
Example:The scale of antisemitism in Australia is still unclear.
efforts (n.)
Actions taken to achieve a goal or solve a problem.
Example:Current efforts aim to maintain social unity.
maintain (v.)
To keep something in a particular state or condition.
Example:They try to maintain unity among diverse communities.
unity (n.)
The state of being united or joined together.
Example:Social unity is essential for peace.
working (v.)
Functioning or being effective.
Example:The strategies are working to reduce hate incidents.
C2

Royal Commission Examines Manifestations of Antisemitism and Social Cohesion in Australia

Introduction

The Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion has conducted public hearings in Sydney to evaluate the prevalence and impact of anti-Jewish sentiment within Australian society.

Main Body

The proceedings focused on the intersection of political Zionism and personal security. Testimonies from musicians Deborah Conway and Joshua Moshe indicated a correlation between the public expression of Zionist beliefs and subsequent professional marginalization. Ms. Conway reported the loss of performance engagements and the occurrence of disruptive protests during her appearances, while Mr. Moshe detailed the dissolution of professional partnerships and the targeting of his commercial enterprise following the unauthorized disclosure of a private communication group. These accounts suggest a trend wherein the advocacy for Israel's right to exist is conflated with government policy, resulting in socio-economic repercussions for the individuals involved. Further evidence highlighted the penetration of antisemitic discourse into educational and digital environments. A minor provided testimony regarding targeted harassment on the Discord platform by peers, utilizing traditional antisemitic tropes. Additionally, the commission examined the psychological impact of violence, as evidenced by the testimony of Rabbi Menachem Dadon regarding his daughter's injuries during a Hanukkah event. This is compounded by reports from Rabbi Daniel Rabin, who noted an increase in community inquiries regarding the viability of continued residency in Australia, suggesting a perceived decline in social stability. Institutional perspectives were provided by Tahli Blicblau and Julie Nathan to establish a framework for identifying antisemitism. Ms. Blicblau posited that while antisemitism predates the events of October 7, 2023, the subsequent acceleration in scale and velocity is notable. Ms. Nathan, representing the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, delineated the distinction between legitimate criticism of the Israeli state and antisemitism. She asserted that the invocation of Nazi Germany or the application of historical anti-Jewish tropes constitutes antisemitism, particularly when pro-Palestinian materials are utilized to target Jewish institutions or individuals.

Conclusion

The commission continues to gather evidence to determine the extent of antisemitism in Australia and the efficacy of current social cohesion measures.

Learning

The Architecture of Nominalization and Precision

To transition from B2 to C2, a student must move beyond describing actions and start describing concepts. The provided text is a masterclass in Nominalization—the process of turning verbs or adjectives into nouns to create an objective, academic, and authoritative tone.

◈ The Shift: Action →\rightarrow Concept

Compare these two ways of conveying the same information:

  • B2 (Verb-centric): People are marginalizing professionals because they express Zionist beliefs.
  • C2 (Nominalized): ...a correlation between the public expression of Zionist beliefs and subsequent professional marginalization.

In the C2 version, the "action" (marginalizing) becomes a "concept" (marginalization). This allows the writer to treat the phenomenon as an object that can be analyzed, correlated, and measured. It removes the need for a vague subject ("people") and elevates the discourse to a sociological level.

◈ Lexical Precision & "The Weight of Words"

C2 mastery requires the ability to choose a word that encapsulates a complex legal or social state. Observe these strategic choices in the text:

  1. "The dissolution of professional partnerships": Instead of saying "partnerships ended," dissolution implies a formal, systemic breaking apart.
  2. "The invocation of Nazi Germany": Invocation is far more precise than "mentioning"; it suggests the calling upon a historical ghost to evoke a specific emotional or political reaction.
  3. "The efficacy of current social cohesion measures": Efficacy is the gold standard for academic writing, replacing the simplistic "how well they work."

◈ The Syntactic Bridge: The "Abstract Subject"

Notice how the text uses nominalized phrases as the subjects of sentences to maintain an impersonal, scholarly distance:

"The subsequent acceleration in scale and velocity is notable."

Here, the subject isn't a person or a thing, but the acceleration itself. This is the hallmark of C2 proficiency: the ability to synthesize complex events into abstract nouns that drive the sentence forward, creating a dense, information-rich prose style that is common in high-level jurisprudence and academia.

Vocabulary Learning

manifestations (n.)
visible or tangible signs or expressions of a phenomenon
Example:The protest’s manifestations included street blockades, loud chants, and symbolic banners.
antisemitism (n.)
prejudice, hostility, or discrimination against Jewish people
Example:The report documents a rise in antisemitism across several Australian communities.
prevalence (n.)
the state or condition of being widespread or common
Example:The prevalence of anti-Jewish sentiment has prompted the Royal Commission to investigate further.
impact (n.)
the effect or influence that something has on a person or situation
Example:The impact of the hearings on public opinion was immediately noticeable.
sentiment (n.)
a feeling or attitude toward a particular topic
Example:Negative sentiment toward certain religious groups can fuel social tensions.
intersection (n.)
a point where two or more things meet or cross
Example:The intersection of political ideology and personal security was a key theme of the inquiry.
political (adj.)
relating to the governance of a country or the activities of politicians
Example:Political Zionism seeks to establish and maintain a Jewish homeland.
personal (adj.)
relating to an individual's private life or feelings
Example:Personal security concerns were raised by several witnesses.
security (n.)
the state of being free from danger or threat
Example:The musicians spoke about the need for greater security during performances.
testimonies (n.)
formal statements or accounts given under oath or in a legal setting
Example:The testimonies of Deborah Conway and Joshua Moshe were central to the proceedings.
correlation (n.)
a mutual relationship or connection between two or more things
Example:A correlation was noted between public expressions of Zionist beliefs and subsequent marginalization.
marginalization (n.)
the process of pushing a group or individual to the fringe or periphery of society
Example:Professional marginalization can lead to significant career setbacks.
dissolution (n.)
the act of ending or terminating something, especially a partnership or organization
Example:The dissolution of the commercial partnership left both parties scrambling for resources.
enterprise (n.)
a business or commercial venture
Example:The unauthorized disclosure of the communication group harmed the enterprise’s reputation.
unauthorized (adj.)
not having official permission or approval
Example:The unauthorized leak of private messages sparked widespread outrage.
disclosure (n.)
the act of revealing or making known information
Example:The disclosure of the private group’s contents was a pivotal moment in the case.
advocacy (n.)
public support or argument in favor of a particular cause or policy
Example:Advocacy for Israel’s right to exist was conflated with broader government policy.
conflated (v.)
combined or merged two distinct concepts into one
Example:The report warned that conflating antisemitism with general criticism could mislead policymakers.
policy (n.)
a course of action adopted or pursued by an organization or government
Example:Policy decisions were influenced by the findings of the commission.
repercussions (n.)
unintended consequences or effects, often negative
Example:The socio-economic repercussions included loss of jobs and reduced community trust.
penetration (n.)
the act of entering or spreading into a particular area or domain
Example:The penetration of antisemitic discourse into digital platforms alarmed experts.
discourse (n.)
written or spoken communication on a particular topic
Example:The antisemitic discourse often relied on historical tropes.
digital (adj.)
relating to technology that uses computers, the internet, or electronic devices
Example:Digital environments such as social media can amplify harmful narratives.
harassment (n.)
unwanted or aggressive behavior that intimidates or threatens someone
Example:The minor reported targeted harassment by peers on the Discord platform.
tropes (n.)
recurring themes or clichés that convey a particular idea, often used in literature or rhetoric
Example:Traditional antisemitic tropes were employed to justify the attacks.
psychological (adj.)
relating to the mind or mental processes
Example:The psychological impact of violence was evident in the witnesses’ testimonies.
injuries (n.)
physical harm or damage to the body
Example:The injuries sustained during the Hanukkah event were severe.
compounded (v.)
made more intense or severe by the addition of other factors
Example:The situation was compounded by reports of increasing hostility.
viability (n.)
the ability to survive or function effectively over time
Example:Questions about the viability of continued residency in Australia were raised.
residency (n.)
the state of living in a particular place, often with legal status
Example:Residency status can be threatened by widespread discrimination.
stability (n.)
the quality of being steady and not prone to change or collapse
Example:The perceived decline in social stability alarmed community leaders.
perspectives (n.)
ways of viewing or interpreting a situation
Example:Institutional perspectives help frame the broader context of antisemitism.
framework (n.)
a structured system or set of principles for analysis or action
Example:The commission proposed a framework for identifying antisemitic incidents.
identifying (v.)
recognizing or determining the nature of something
Example:Identifying patterns of hate speech is crucial for effective intervention.
predates (v.)
occurs before something else in time
Example:Antisemitism predates the events of October 7, 2023.
acceleration (n.)
the process of increasing speed or rate
Example:The acceleration in scale and velocity of incidents alarmed officials.
velocity (n.)
the speed of something in a given direction
Example:The velocity of online hate speech spread quickly across platforms.
delineated (v.)
described or defined clearly and precisely
Example:The report delineated the distinction between legitimate criticism and antisemitism.
legitimate (adj.)
authentic, lawful, or justified
Example:Legitimate criticism should not be conflated with hateful rhetoric.
invocation (n.)
the act of calling upon or referencing something, often in a formal or rhetorical sense
Example:The invocation of Nazi Germany was used to illustrate historical parallels.
application (n.)
the act of putting something into use or practice
Example:The application of historical tropes can perpetuate harmful stereotypes.
historical (adj.)
relating to past events or periods
Example:Historical anti-Jewish tropes still influence contemporary discourse.
materials (n.)
objects or information used for a particular purpose
Example:Pro-Palestinian materials were cited as contributing to the spread of hate.
utilized (v.)
made use of or employed for a purpose
Example:The commission utilized expert testimony to build its case.
efficacy (n.)
the ability to produce a desired or intended result
Example:Assessing the efficacy of current social cohesion measures is essential.
measures (n.)
actions or steps taken to achieve a particular aim
Example:New measures were introduced to strengthen community resilience.
socio-economic (adj.)
relating to both social and economic factors and their interaction
Example:The socio-economic repercussions included widespread job losses.
pro-Palestinian (adj.)
supporting the political and national aspirations of Palestine
Example:Pro-Palestinian advocacy sometimes intersects with broader anti-Jewish sentiment.
disruptive (adj.)
causing disturbance or interruption
Example:Disruptive protests disrupted the musicians’ planned performances.