The Australian Jewish Association (AJA) shared a screenshot on Monday referencing Wong’s comments on X, accusing the foreign minister of “leading from behind” and “waiting to see how everyone else” reacted to the US strikes.
“Finally when it dawns on you that Labor has trashed Australia’s relationship with the US and can’t even get a meeting with President Trump, you decide to support it,” said the group, which describes itself as advocating for “centre-right policies that promote individual liberty, economic freedom, limited government, strong national defence, and the primacy of Australian law”.
Wong’s public support for the US strikes this morning came after a statement from a government spokesperson yesterday that didn’t use such language, saying that “Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile program has been a threat to international peace and security” and calling for “de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy”.
Another group, the Jewish Council of Australia (JCA), also criticised Wong’s response — for a very different reason.
The group, which formed in February 2024 to represent non-Zionist Jews in Australia, says it opposes antisemitism and supports the rights of Palestinians. Its members “have diverse views on many issues” but are “united in our opposition to Israel’s continued policies aimed at the destruction of Palestinian life”.
In a statement on Monday, the group said it condemned Wong’s endorsement of the US strikes on Iranian nuclear targets, which it called a “reckless provocation” and “illegal act of aggression that threatens to escalate a dangerous regional conflict and lead to more death and suffering”.
“Australia’s support for this action makes it complicit in a pattern of military violence that is destabilising the Middle East and fuelling global insecurity,” it continued.
Max Kaiser, one of the group’s leaders, called on the Australian government to immediately withdraw its support for the strikes, take action against Israel’s ongoing military action in Gaza, and “adopt an independent foreign policy grounded in peace, diplomacy, and international law”.
Sarah Schwartz, another one of the group’s leaders, said the group was “horrified” that the Australian government would endorse the US strike, and said it was “time for Australia to break ranks with those driving the violence”.
Both the AJA and JCA have strong followings on social media but have been criticised as being less representative than peak bodies such as the Executive Council of Australian Jewry.
— Alex Gallagher
