Michelle de Kretser, a prominent Australian author, used her appearance at the Sydney Writers’ Festival to strongly condemn the conflation of criticism of Israel with antisemitism and to advocate for the recognition of Palestinian lives. She argued that such conflation is a dangerous lie that stifles legitimate debate and criticism of Israeli policies.
De Kretser’s comments were part of a broader discussion within the festival concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its impact on free speech. The article highlights the increasing pressure on writers and artists to remain silent or conform to a pro-Israel narrative, with accusations of antisemitism often used to silence dissenting voices.
The article emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between legitimate criticism of the Israeli government and genuine antisemitism, arguing that conflating the two undermines the fight against actual antisemitism and prevents meaningful dialogue about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. De Kretser’s call to action urged the audience to actively challenge this conflation and to recognize the inherent value and importance of Palestinian lives, which she suggests are often marginalized or dismissed in mainstream discourse. The broader implication is that solidarity with Palestinians is crucial in the face of attempts to suppress critical voices.
find the original article here: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/06/16/paas-j16.html