The Jewish Left, ASIO and my Family

Journal article

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In Journal Issue

Australian Jewish Historical Society Journal, 24, 4 (2020)

Author Michael Komesaroff AbstractFrom the French Revolution until the middle of last century, Jewish citizens favoured left-leaning or progressive political parties. This article first examines the reasons for this left-wing orientation, including the impact of Tsarist oppression, initial pro-Jewish policies under Lenin and later Stalin, the rise of Nazism, and the role of the Soviet Union during World War Two. Because of its perceived leadership role in defeating Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union emerged from World War Two with a large measure of goodwill among world Jewry, and this goodwill increased when Britain, against the stance of the Soviet Union, prohibited Jewish migration to Palestine and then supported the creation of Israel by the United Nations. The Soviet Union's policy toward its Jewish citizens and Israel changed by the early 1950s when Moscow shifted from being a steadfast supporter of the Jewish state to be an unrestrained critic, moved to support the Arab world and introduced severe restrictions on Jewish life and discriminatory policies. Coincidental with the rise of communism was increased surveillance of those suspected of being communist. In Australia surveillance began with the 1919 Red Flag riots in Brisbane and continued with the formation of ASIO in 1949. ASIO maintained voluminous files on individuals and organisations they believed were threats to Australia's security because of a perceived relationship, no matter how tenuous, with the Communist Party. Seven members of the Komesaroff family feature in some of ASIO's files, but they were unaware that they were under surveillance by overzealous agents who could not differentiate between dissent and disloyalty. This article examines their stories.
Year2020
Pages774-797
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