By Antony Loewenstein
Welcome to 2026.
The year has started with a US invasion and kidnapping in Venezuela, ongoing Israeli killings in Gaza, surging violence in the West Bank, huge protests in Iran against its repressive regime, ongoing carnage in Sudan and seemingly never-ending attempts to silence Palestinian voices who dare to criticise Israel.
It’s hard not to feel despair at the state of the world and those forces pushing us towards greater division and violence.
After the horrific anti-Semitic terror attack at Bondi Beach in December, Australia witnessed within hours a highly distasteful and co-ordinated attempt to politicise the massacre by many in the mainstream media and pro-Israel lobby.
Apparently it was the fault of the pro-Palestine marches since 7 October 2023 and criticism of the Jewish state’s actions in Gaza and beyond. There was no evidence for this, more a pre-determined vibe that joined dots that didn’t exist.
It was all deeply cynical and must be rejected by sane people everywhere. Anti-Semitism is an ancient disease and will be fought vigorously. Talking about Israeli war crimes and genocide in Palestine is NOT anti-semitic (as much as many want to claim that it is).
(For a reasoned and compelling examination of anti-Semitism, what it is and what it certainly is not, I recently read this fantastic book on the subject, On Anti-Semitism: A Word in History by historian Mark Mazower).
Now is the time for sober and reasoned conversations about Palestine, free speech and the egregious attempts to shrink the public space for honest debate.
What needs to be repeated ad nauseam: Israeli criminality, live-streamed to our phones for 2+ years, plus the Zionist lobby’s insistence on curtailing free speech is leading to way more anti-Semitism in the wider community. That’s the conversation that’s rarely had.
It’s a period where most in the mainstream media have shown themselves to be utterly unwilling, unable or ignorant of the threat of the far-right, the growing collusionbetween Israel and global fascism and Big Tech oligarchy.
Corporate media won’t save us.
Independent media and voices have never been more important.
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(I can happily report that I’m currently working on a new book and film, to be released in the second half of 2027 with leading publishers, about Israel/Palestine. I can’t say more at this point but it’ll be a global investigation with major revelations.)
I’m an independent journalist without any institutional backing. If you’re able to support me financially, by donating money to continue this work, I’d hugely appreciate it. You can find donating options in the menu bar at the top of my website via Substack and here.
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Since the Bondi terror attack, I’ve spoken out extensively about the weaponisation of Jewish trauma in the service of draconian and racist policies + ideas.
I recently launched The Antony Loewenstein Podcast, a weekly show with comments and interviews on issues of the day. It’s available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple. I’m also now on TikTok.
Less than 24 hours after the Bondi massacre, I recorded this:
(My wonderful producer on the series, Lem Zakharia, wrote about the vile attacks that we both received after speaking out).
Here are my interviews since the Bondi attack (including CNN, Al Jazeera English and Democracy Now!):
I was also interviewed by NBC News in the US and the Al Jazeera English media show, The Listening Post.
The Australian media’s coverage of the Bondi attack was often incomplete, biased and taking its cues from the Netanyahu government. Seriously:
Late last year, I discovered that I appeared near the top of an Israeli government hit list claiming that I’m a “key generator of anti-Semitism and delegitimisation in Australia”:
It’s utterly absurd, offensive and likely best ignored (though it’s certainly a bit unnerving).
My monthly column for the UK outlet, Middle East Eye:
The Israeli arms industry continues to test its wares in Gaza and beyond, making a fortune in the process. I spoke to Al Jazeera English about it:
I recently traveled around Indonesia on a book tour, promoting the Bahasa edition of The Palestine Laboratory.
Here’s more interviews from that tour (recorded in Jakarta and beyond):
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The news site that I co-founded and co-edit with Peter Cronau, Declassified Australia, continues to publish ground-breaking work.
The latest, from writer Kellie Tranter, is on Australia trailing a weapons-system tested in Gaza.
Read our January 2026 newsletter, please subscribe and support us!, on our achievements and the vital need for independent journalism.
You can follow me on Instagram and Twitter for constantly updated content. My website has information about all my work, books and documentary films stretching back to 2003.
I’m an independent journalist without any institutional backing. If you’re able to support me financially, by donating money to continue this work, I’d hugely appreciate it. You can find donating options in the menu bar at the top of my website, via Substack and here.
Thanks very much for reading.
Take care.
Antony
This article was originally published on Antony Loewenstein
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The Port Arthur massacre was a tragedy of the highest proportions for Australians. We analysed, acted and moved on. The Bondi Beach massacre was a tragedy of similar proportion for ALL Australians. We have analysed, politicised, editorialised, and necessary actions are taking place. Can we now move on – please!
For my two cents worth ….. I find the Zionazi whingers the least likeable members of Australian society. If they want a single theology state let them migrate to Israel where doubtless there will be international carpet-baggers prepared to sell off the plan for the expanded Gaza Gold Coast Development.
There is no excuse for the assassination as genocide of 70,000+ Palestinian citizens including landowners whose properties have been deliberately reduced to rubble by the authorisation of the Israeli Knesset conducted by the amoral IDF for the benefit of two rabid rabbi parliamentarians and an allegedly corrupt Prim Monster.
But will the Australian government clamp down on the rabid Christian cults as hard as the present ”anti-Muslim” reaction preferred by the Zionist supporters??
Thank you Heather – good additional information. Don’t get me wrong: those immediately affected by such tragedies need family support and need to grieve – but in private – not with click bait opportunities for reprehensible tear jerking camera persons earning money from mainstream media supported by advertising.
Same with the post bush fire TV interviews – the interviewers ask loaded questions guaranteed to spike raw emotions and bring tears for the camera to lap up – cowardly, disrespectful, disgraceful and totally unprofessional.
Ant nails it again. But note, the aticle is long and detailed, bacause dfifferent standards are required of broadsheet writersthan tabloid stooges. Just a restless mind and a love of truth.
Dear Antony, this is to thank you for the moral courage you have shown for decades in your journalism. Your pen and this courage have been an important inspirational touchstone for many other journalists, including me.
Thank you Michael Taylor and AIMN for republishing this important and very helpful, incisive article.