Sharp policy divides on Israel and antisemitism revealed in pre-election survey

A new election survey conducted by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) has revealed significant differences between the Labor Party and the Coalition on key issues affecting the Jewish community, particularly on matters of foreign policy, community security, and antisemitism.

The survey, comprising 22 questions, was distributed in late March to both Labor and the Coalition. It addresses a wide range of topics: from the recognition of a Palestinian state, Australia’s voting at the United Nations, and funding to agencies like UNRWA, to domestic matters such as antisemitism in universities, visa screening, and law enforcement responses.

One notable departure from tradition this year is the exclusion of the Australian Greens from the survey process. “For the first time,” the ECAJ stated, “we have not sought responses from the Greens due to their consistent bile about Israel and the Jewish community.” The move reflects a breakdown in engagement between the mainstream Jewish community and the Greens, who have become increasingly vocal critics of Israel and have faced repeated accusations of crossing into antisemitic rhetoric.

On foreign policy, the contrast between the major parties is particularly stark. The Coalition stated it would not recognise a Palestinian state except as the outcome of direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. Labor, on the other hand, indicated a more flexible approach. In its response, the Albanese government said it “no longer sees recognition as only occurring at the end of the process,” and that such recognition “could occur as part of a peace process.” Labor made clear it would not support any future Palestinian state that involved Hamas.

The parties also disagree on the status of West Jerusalem. The Coalition has committed to restoring Australia’s recognition of West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, a position it said respects Israel’s right to designate its own capital city. Labor has reverted to Australia’s previous long-standing position that the status of Jerusalem must be resolved through negotiations within a two-state solution framework.

ECAJ Co-Chief Executive Peter Wertheim challenged Labor’s stance, saying: “We do not understand Labor’s position on West Jerusalem. The western part of the city has never been a final status issue, so it makes no sense for the ALP to say its status must be resolved as part of peace negotiations. This policy is also inconsistent with their statement that recognition of a Palestinian state, which definitely is a final status issue, need not await the outcome of peace negotiations.”

Another major point of divergence is funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). The Coalition has promised to cease all Australian funding to the agency, citing its alleged links to Hamas, and to redirect the aid to “trusted organisations” delivering humanitarian support in Gaza. Labor, while continuing to fund humanitarian efforts, stressed that Australian support is subject to strict safeguards and is directed exclusively toward non-political, humanitarian ends. It has also committed four million dollars to Project Rozana, a cross-border peace-building initiative focused on healthcare collaboration.

Domestically, both parties recognise the threat posed by rising antisemitism, but their approaches differ. The Coalition has pledged to establish a dedicated national antisemitism taskforce led by the Australian Federal Police, with authority to re-examine unresolved cases and issue new ministerial directions prioritising prosecutions for hate crimes, including doxxing and the public display of terrorist symbols.

This cold-case focus comes in the wake of a series of antisemitic attacks on synagogues, childcare centres and homes in Sydney and Melbourne earlier this year, which were initially dismissed by some authorities as criminal rather than ideologically motivated. Critics, including Jewish leaders, condemned the assessments made by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and some politicians as “reckless and irresponsible”.

Subsequent revelations identified Sayet Erhan Akca, the alleged ringleader, as a known propagator of neo-Nazi and Holocaust denial content, casting further doubt on the early dismissals. The Coalition has stated it would direct the AFP to prioritise antisemitic threats and review past decisions not to proceed with charges in relevant cases.

Labor pointed to reforms it has already implemented, including the Criminal Code Amendment (Hate Crimes) Act 2025, bans on Nazi gestures and symbols, and a significant increase in funding for Holocaust education and school-based social cohesion initiatives. It has also highlighted the creation of Operation Avalite, a federal taskforce focused on identifying and addressing antisemitic activity.

The Coalition has also committed to cancelling visas for individuals who engage in antisemitic conduct and to ensuring that government grants do not go to organisations associated with antisemitic views. Labor has likewise indicated support for visa restrictions and funding conditions, although with less explicit emphasis.

While both parties oppose the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign against Israel and support the Abraham Accords and a two-state solution, the Coalition’s positions are more closely aligned with traditional pro-Israel advocacy groups. Labor’s flexibility on Palestinian statehood and its refusal to restore recognition of West Jerusalem have raised concerns among Jewish communal leaders.

“We welcome the Coalition’s promise to cease funding UNRWA, which has become tainted by its collaboration with Hamas, and to direct this funding instead to trusted organisations which deliver support to Palestinian civilians in Gaza,” said Wertheim. “On domestic policy, there will be many within and beyond the Jewish community who will support the Coalition’s policy to ensure that individuals who engage in antisemitic conduct have their visas rejected or cancelled so they can be deported.”

As the federal election approaches, the survey offers Jewish voters a clear, side-by-side comparison of where the major parties stand on issues of direct concern to them. It highlights not only areas of bipartisan agreement, such as opposition to the BDS campaign and support for Holocaust education, but also sharp policy differences on matters including the recognition of a Palestinian state, the status of West Jerusalem, and the handling of antisemitic incidents.

Click here to read the full survey responses.