In April 2025, I posted a comment in The Age, sharing how, after 40 years in my Goldstein neighbourhood, I’d never felt unsafe until I was wrongly accused of antisemitism.

These accusations, I wrote, seemed designed to shame and silence, but I would not be diminished. Today, I stand by those words, even knowing that publishing this article may invite further attacks. And that is the point. We cannot be bullied or tyrannised by those who wield false accusations to suppress community voices. The more of us who speak out, the stronger our democracy becomes.

The power of lobbying exposed

The Federal Court’s ruling in favour of journalist Antoinette Lattouf, unlawfully sacked by the ABC in 2023, exposed a troubling reality: a small, well-connected group can exert undue influence over our public institutions. The court found that Lattouf’s termination stemmed from her political opinions on Israel’s actions in Gaza, driven by an orchestrated campaign by pro-Israel lobbyists. Evidence of emails and WhatsApp messages showed complaints reached ABC executives almost instantly, pressuring a rushed decision without due process. This case isn’t just about one journalist; it’s about who controls our public discourse and at what cost.

Facing intimidation in Goldstein

Since late 2021, I’ve faced a persistent pattern of intimidation in Goldstein. Anonymous letters and emails have accused me of antisemitism for my community activism, while others have screamed at me and sent death threats. In 2022, I was smeared as an antisemite on the front page of a national newspaper, and in 2024, a state MP demanded my resignation from a not-for-profit board, falsely accusing me of Holocaust denial: calculated attacks to silence my community leadership. In a backhanded way, it was a compliment: they saw my voice as a threat. A legal letter stopped the MP’s overt actions, but the toll was devastating: a damaged reputation, and while many loyal clients, friends and community members rallied around me, I’ll never know how many others, swayed by these smears, chose to steer clear of engaging with me. This betrayal of trust violates my deepest values, fuelling an ongoing fear of escalated attacks. Yet, I refuse to stay silent.

Moral injury: The hidden cost of targeted attacks

These attacks inflict moral injury: a profound wound to one’s sense of self when forced to endure acts that violate deeply-held values. Being falsely labelled antisemitic, or threatened for advocating justice, has left me navigating anxiety, sleeplessness, and hyper-vigilance, taking a toll on my mental and physical well-being. The risk of further attacks looms large, leaving me second-guessing whether to write this article, as this self-doubt and gnawing sense of betrayal undermine my commitment to fairness and justice. I know I won’t sway those who attack me and others, but there are many more of us than them, giving us strength to speak out. I wonder how many others face similar experiences, opting to stay silent and suffering in silence to protect their livelihoods and families. Unlike my attackers, I’m not wealthy or backed by powerful networks, making it harder to fight back and withstand the pressure. Standing up to such cowardly tactics is daunting, yet I cannot let them silence me. This is why I write. This is why I am involved in community politics. This is why I risk my reputation. Taking action gives me agency and exposes what is really happening. As Elie Wiesel warned, “Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” This truth drives me to act.

Moral disengagement: The tactics of bullies

These attacks rely on moral disengagement: tactics that allow perpetrators to justify harm while evading accountability. My accusers use dehumanisation, portraying me and others as hateful caricatures to dismiss our advocacy. They employ moral justification, framing their smears as defending a righteous cause, and diffusion of responsibility, hiding behind anonymous letters or group campaigns to avoid blame. Euphemistic labelling softens their actions as “criticism” rather than harassment. These cowardly strategies, seen in the Lattouf case, and my own and others’ experiences, enable bullies to silence dissent while maintaining a veneer of virtue, eroding trust and dialogue in our communities.

The need for media reform

Well-connected groups wield disproportionate power over our politics and media. Australia’s weak lobbying laws and concentrated media ownership allow those with access to decision-makers to shape narratives with alarming speed. The Lattouf case showed how quickly complaints from a pro-Israel lobby reached the ABC’s top brass. In Goldstein, Murdoch-owned outlets amplified similar accusations, often without evidence, highlighting the urgent need for media reform. Our media landscape, dominated by a few powerful players, prioritises sensationalism and power over truth, enabling smears to spread unchecked. We need stronger regulations, mandating fact-checking for major outlets and public funding for independent journalism, to ensure diverse voices are heard and falsehoods are challenged.

Truth in political advertising

Equally critical is the need for truth in political advertising. In the 2022 and 2025 elections, Goldstein residents were bombarded with misleading flyers and ads from proxy groups aligned with major parties, designed to divide rather than inform. These tactics, cloaked in moral disengagement like advantageous comparison, where one side’s flaws are downplayed compared to another’s, erode trust in our democratic process. Legislation requiring political ads to be fact-checked and transparent about funding, as proposed in 2025 electoral reform debates, would hold campaigns accountable and protect voters from disinformation. Without such reforms, intimidation thrives in the shadows of half-truths.

The weaponisation of antisemitism

The weaponisation of antisemitism accusations is particularly damaging. Genuine antisemitism must be condemned unequivocally, but its misuse as a political tool harms everyone. It dilutes the term’s meaning, undermines efforts to combat real hate, and alienates those advocating for justice and peace. As I wrote in The Age, when everything is labelled antisemitic, it loses its authority. In Goldstein, anonymous letters targeting residents sow division rather than foster understanding. We deserve a discourse that respects complexity, not one that thrives on fear.

Escalating intimidation and community resilience

This pattern of intimidation is present. Goldstein’s once-neighbourly polling booths became battlegrounds of aggression, fuelled by divisive rhetoric and proxy groups. As a long-time community activist, I’ve seen how these attacks aim to silence those who challenge the status quo. The 2024 smear against me was a calculated move to push me out of community politics, but it backfired: it strengthened my resolve. I’ve also seen resilience: residents who keep engaging, voters who seek truth, and a growing call for fairness and integrity in political discourse.

The risks and rewards of speaking out

Speaking out carries risks. I know this article may provoke more anonymous letters, online harassment, or worse. But silence is not an option. I’m not wealthy, nor do I come from well-connected monied sources, but I’m prepared to wear the risk. By speaking out, I hope others know what is happening to some of us and feel empowered to share their stories. The Lattouf case shows that persistence can expose truth, even against powerful odds. My own experience, facing smears, threats, and defamation, has taught me that standing firm is the only way to reclaim our voice.

A call to action

I’m not alone. Across Australia, people are rejecting bullying tactics and demanding a politics of compassion and community. To those behind the attacks, I invite you to choose dialogue over discord. To my fellow Australians: join us in speaking out. Support independent media, demand lobbying reform, and push for truth in political advertising to hold power accountable.

Building a stronger democracy

The more of us who stand together, the harder it is to silence us. Let’s build a democracy where truth and justice prevail, not falsehoods and intimidation.

Onward we press.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are my own, based on personal experiences and public records. They do not represent any organisation or third party.

The views expressed in this article may or may not reflect those of Pearls and Irritations.