From: The Jerusalem Post May 3, 2025
Australian Jewish groups express concern, disappointment as Albanese secures second term

"For the first time in history, many Jews in this country felt they had to justify their place in Australian society," ZFA president Jeremy Leibler said.

Australian Jewish groups expressed differing reactions after Anthony Albanese claimed a historic second term as prime minister on Saturday.
Albanese made a dramatic comeback against the once-resurgent Conservatives that was powered by voters’ concerns about the influence of US President Trump.

The Zionist Federation of Australia (ZFA) congratulated Albanese on his reelection and said it looked forward to engaging “constructively with the new government on issues of shared concern.”

However, ZFA president Jeremy Leibler noted that the election had taken place against the backdrop of a “deeply painful period for Jewish Australians.”
Alluding to this, Leibler said, “For the first time in history, many Jews in this country felt they had to justify their place in Australian society.”

He added that the relationship between the Jewish community and the Albanese government has been strained, and that certain foreign policy decisions and responses to antisemitism have challenged the sense of trust in the government.

He said ZFA welcomes the pre-election commitments made by the government to increase security funding for the Jewish community, combat antisemitism, and support social cohesion.

“We hope this new term provides an opportunity to return to that spirit of principled consensus and bipartisan support,” Leibler said.

“The Jewish community will continue to advocate for itself with strength and purpose — defending our values, deepening our partnerships, and contributing to the democratic fabric of this country.”

The Australian Jewish Association expressed disappointment in Albanese’s win, calling it a “major blow to the Jewish community and many others in Australia.”