This week, some JCCV staff and board members were lucky enough to receive a remarkable masterclass on communications.

One of the things that has challenged so many of us since October 7 is how to speak with non-Jewish Australians – our friends, colleagues and neighbours – about what is taking place in the Jewish homeland.

I want to share with you some of the insights the JCCV received. 

Have a think about them and let them guide how you speak to people who haven’t watched the Munk Debate on Anti-Zionism or seen the locally-made documentary Never Again: The Fight Against Antisemitism.

What we know:

• Most Australians see Israel and Jewish people as one and the same and they don’t know what Zionism means.
• Most don’t know what Hamas is and the anti-western values they represent.
• “October 7” means nothing to most Australians, we need to avoid shorthand.

So how can these insights inform our discussions?

• Make it relatable – imagine if New Zealand invaded Australia one day, snatched 250 hostages and killed 1200+ people including the elderly and children? Would you expect Australia to respond?
• Explain who Hamas is – Hamas is the government of Gaza. Hamas imposes a dress code for women, forces gender segregation in school and there are no laws against domestic violence in Gaza. LGBTIQ+ people are thrown in jail and dozens of Gazans are sentenced to death each year with no fair legal process.
• Keep it simple – on October 7, Hamas invaded Israel and still holds more than 120 hostages. When the hostages are returned, fighting will stop.

 
We hope these simple tips might help you start a conversation with someone you know or even create some social media content to educate your followers. Discussions lead to greater understanding.