ASPI Head of strategic policing and law enforcement, Dr John Coyne, says Israel is “very much trying to control the global narrative” in relation to the Israel-Hamas war.
“There is some confusion here, over the difference between pro-Palestinian, pro-Gaza protesting and anti-Semitic, racist protests,” he told Sky News Australia.
“Very key to our democracy is the right to protest, and political expression.
“I do think that Israel is very much trying to control the global narrative, protest against the war in Gaza does not mean you’re anti-Semitic.”
Dr Coyne’s comments come in light of Israel upgrading it’s travel warnings for citizens travelling to Australia and 80 other countries over the rise in anti-Semitism.
Israel’s national security council raised its travel warning to level two, advising heightened vigilance over increased attempted attacks against Israeli nationals.
Several countries in Western Europe including the UK, France and Germany were raised to level two along with Australia.
