Since 7 October 2023, across every profession and social realm in Australia – teachers, students, doctors, nurses, academics, public servants, lawyers, journalists, artists, food and hospitality workers, protesters and politicians – speaking out against Israel’s genocide and the Zionist political project has been met with blatant anti-Palestinian racism.
This has manifested in repressive silencing campaigns, disciplinary processes and lawfare.
As coercive repression of anti-Zionist voices escalates at a frenzied pace in western society, what is at stake extends beyond individuals’ livelihoods and mental health, for these ultimately constitute collateral damage.
The real target and objective of anti-Palestinian racism is discursive disarmament, specifically, disarming the Palestinian movement of its capacity to critique and resist Zionism and hold Israel to account.
This disarmament campaign – the immobilising of our discursive and explanatory frameworks, our analysis and commentary, our slogans, protest language and chants – is emboldened and empowered by the collusion and complicity of institutions, media outlets and employers. ….more
