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The antisemitism royal commission will hold its first public hearing today, with the aim of producing an interim report by April 30.
As the commission examines ways to tackle antisemitism in Australia in the wake of the December Bondi terror attack, the focus will no doubt turn to two phrases used by protesters that have been targeted by state governments: “globalise the intifada” and “from the river to the sea”.
What do these phrases mean, and why are they so contested?
Central to this debate is whether the phrases are expressions of Palestinian self-determination, or a threat of violence against the Jewish people, explains Martin Kear, an expert in Palestinian politics.
Given how contentious these phrases are – and the legislative moves to ban them – it’s essential to understand the context behind them.
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Justin Bergman
International Affairs Editor
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Martin Kear, University of Sydney
Central to the debate is whether the phrases are expressions of Palestinian self-determination, or a threat of violence against Jews.
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Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra
Chris Minns provides clarity on the issue of ISIS brides while the government and opposition tie themselves in knots.
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Jodie Avery, Adelaide University ; Alison Deslandes, Adelaide University
Surgery is not always necessary but can be helpful in some instances. Here’s what the evidence says and what to consider before you decide.
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Mark Nielsen, The University of Queensland
Punch’s attachment to his plushie isn’t just the subject of a heart-wrenching video. It harks back to the story of a very famous set of 1950s psychology experiments.
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Laura de Zwaan, Queensland University of Technology
Interest rates could go up even further this year. If you’re struggling with your home loan repayments, here’s where you can go for help.
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Rebecca Trelease, Auckland University of Technology
The new ANTM show isn’t about addressing issues faced by former contestants; it’s a chance for producers to distance themselves from the besmirched Tyra Banks.
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Amy Peden, UNSW Sydney
We know swimming ability is declining in Australia. One in four schools no longer holds a swimming carnival at all.
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Sara Webb, Swinburne University of Technology
Astronomers have been watching the supergiant WOH G64 for decades – and it might have turned into a hypergiant and be heading for self-destruction.
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Politics + Society
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Vaughan Cruickshank, University of Tasmania; Brendon Hyndman, Charles Sturt University; Tom Hartley, University of Tasmania
For Australia to build on its record-breaking Winter Olympics, it will need continued facility development, cheaper access and more pathways.
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Health + Medicine
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John (Eddie) La Marca, WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research) ; Cameron Lewis, WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research) ; Sarah Diepstraten, WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research)
Blood tests are helpful for monitoring your overall health. But research suggests they can also give us clues about the development of some cancers.
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Charlotte Gupta, CQUniversity Australia; Dayna Easton, Flinders University
Research suggests there may be evolutionary reasons we don’t fully switch off when we’re sleeping in an unfamiliar environment.
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Business + Economy
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Victoria Whitington, Adelaide University
The child care system is facing serious challenges. It’s not clear that changing the funding model would help.
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Lisa Meehan, Auckland University of Technology; Gail Pacheco, Auckland University of Technology; Thomas Schober, Auckland University of Technology
Over 50 years, NZ women moved into men’s jobs but men didn’t move the other way. New data, published ahead of a major report, shows why pay equity still matters.
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Environment + Energy
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Euan Ritchie, Deakin University; Amy Coetsee, The University of Melbourne; Anthony Rendall, Deakin University; Duncan Sutherland, The University of Melbourne
When feral cats are scarce, potoroos and bandicoots forage more freely, altering their behaviour and chances of survival.
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Steve Turton, CQUniversity Australia
Last year, intense rains saw Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre close to full. As Central Australia braces for floods, the salt lake could fill again.
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Science + Technology
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James S. Crampton, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington; Chris Clowes, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington; Kyle J. Bland, Earth Sciences New Zealand
A newly-dated geological timescale will help scientists connect NZ’s deep past to present day hazards, climate change and biodiversity.
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Lachlan Hart, UNSW Sydney
The strange fossils were lost in museum collections around the world for some 50 years.
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Arts + Culture
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Sarah Austin, The University of Melbourne
This new play at Melbourne Theatre Company is a sharp, often darkly comic examination of conformity and resistance within the modern corporate structure.
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Books + Ideas
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Nicola Parsons, University of Sydney
First published in 1725, Fantomina tells of a woman who adopts disguises to keep her lover’s attention. While avoiding moralism, it skirts questions of consent.
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Georgia Phillips, Adelaide University
Big Kiss, Bye-Bye explores the psychological fallout from a broken relationship and the human tendency to seek shelter in illusions.
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Purpose over perfection
“I was absolutely appalled to read that 54% of young Australian women are considering cosmetic surgery at some point in their lives. Advertising, social media and ridiculous supposed beauty ideals have a lot to answer for. Beauty is about who you are, how you contribute to the world and how you care for others, not how you look. Wake up young ladies; stop worrying about how you look and start living!”
Andrea Cohen, Alexandra VIC 
Epstein's influence
“While the political and economic influences of Jeffrey Epstein will take many years to uncover, I find it difficult to read the various reactions by so many people that are shorn of the understanding we have developed over many years, of how perpetrators 'suck in' allies as well as victims. The skillset of sexual perpetrators makes them particularly talented at recruiting allies, even if those allies have no idea of their purpose. This is true of all corrupt people, not just sexual offenders. We should not be negatively judging these collateral victims. This is not to excuse, in any way, those who have chosen to join the original offender in their offending
behaviour. As someone who has worked with child and adolescent sexual assault survivors/thrivers over a prolonged period of time in various roles, I have often worked with those who have been blamed but are actually victims, as they have been taken in by very cunning perpetrators. I would really like to see a more nuanced discussion of perpetrator behaviour and a wider understanding of who is a victim."
Mary Drake
We'd love to hear from you. You can email us with your thoughts on our stories and each day we'll publish an edited selection.
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