Larry Stillman
Dr Larry Stillman is an Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at Monash University and a committee member of the Australian Jewish Democratic Society. He writes on his own behalf.
Recent articles by Larry Stillman
5 February 2025
No community can be blamed for the actions of a few individuals
Over the last few months, we have witnessed a stark increase in antisemitic hate crime: fire-bombings, and Nazi symbols painted on synagogues, houses, and schools, a statement from the Australian Jewish Democratic Society says.
6 December 2024
Misleading reports on antisemitic incidents by ECAJ
It is very unfortunate that the new Executive Council of Australian Jewry Report, Anti-Jewish Incidents in Australia 2024 is marred by fundamental flaws, accidental or otherwise. This problem is in line with other reports emerging from the pro-Israel lobby, reports that get considerable media coverage.
18 July 2024
Pro-Israel lobby smells blood in coordinated lawfare against media critics
In my view, some parts of Mary Kostakidis’ Twitter feed displays a particular and disturbing orientation. Despite that criticism, there should be no doubt that the pro-Israel lobby is engaged in a form of coordinated lawfare against critics of Israel on several fronts. Win or lose, the Zionist Federation of Australia (ZFA) will attempt to use the case against Kostakidis to discredit those who support Palestine in general as antisemites. This attack is part of a general assault on media critics.
18 April 2024
Why Australia should recognise Palestine
Formal recognition of Palestine by Australia and other allies will not, of itself, resolve the conflict, but it will lead to a political climate that helps to balance the relationship between Israel and Palestine and will push both towards a resumption of face-to-face negotiations. We urge the Australian government to maintain its support for Israel, for Palestine and a negotiated settlement to the conflict through recognition of Palestine.
25 March 2024
Letter to Penny Wong - Australian Jewish Democratic Society: sanctions on Israel
Countless numbers of Gazans are facing or dying from famine, while Israel continues to make extreme statements and settler violence against Palestinians continues. There is outrage in the Australian community about Israels actions. It is time for Australia to act on its severe concerns. The AJDS calls for the Australian Government to ban the importation of Israeli goods and services from the Occupied Territories and to cancel the contract for the purchase of $900 million of Elbit systems for Hanwha Defence Australia. These actions would send a clear message to the Israeli government while not threatening its security.
25 January 2024
Rejecting Palestinian sovereignty sets a path for future conflict
We believe that recent statements by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu rejecting the possibility of Palestinian sovereignty, effectively sets a path for Israel in which future conflict with Palestinians is inevitable.
11 December 2023
How are Australian Jews responding to the war against Gaza?
There is a clear need to explain to outsiders what is going on in the Jewish community in Australia. There is all-too-common assumption that there is one Jewish voice on this tragedy and this is something projected by the official organisations. In fact, the published views of people such as Louise Adler or Jenna Price or others are probably close to those held by many people, but fear reigns, and silence reigns supreme. Few people are prepared to go public for fear of social or other retribution.
25 September 2023
Federal Court weighs antisemitism and free speech in Australian schools
The recently concluded Federal Court case brought against Brighton Secondary College in Victoria, resulting in a distressing confirmation of antisemitism during 2013-2020 is a case study in institutional bias against members of a minority group.
25 August 2023
Manufactured statistics for a university beat-up
The Jewish University Experience Survey of the Zionist Federation of Australia (ZFA) and the Australian Union of Jewish Students (AUJS) was prepared by the Social Research Centre, owned by the Australian National University. The Survey has gained lurid headlines in local Jewish media, the ABC, and around the world.
17 July 2023
When does criticism of Zionism and Israel lapse into antisemitism?
An exchange between Larry Stillman, Harold Zwier and Chandra Muzaffar on the question: When does criticism of Zionism and Israel lapse into antisemitism?