When a war criminal comes to town

When a war criminal comes to town

Author: New Politics February 11, 2026 Duration: 19:07
This today’s episode of the New Politics podcast, we explore the political firestorm surrounding Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit to Sydney and why it became a nationwide flashpoint over Gaza, free speech, protest rights and Australia’s foreign policy. As Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spoke of “social cohesion”, tens of thousands protested in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and more than 30 cities, opposing Australia’s bipartisan support for Israel amid the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and escalating violence in the West Bank. We examine allegations of war crimes, apartheid and genocide raised by international organisations, the rapid expansion of hate speech laws – including proposed bans on phrases such as “from the river to the sea” and “globalise the intifada” – and concerns about political influence, lobbying, defence ties and democratic rights in Australia. Is criticism of Israel and Zionism being conflated with antisemitism? And has Australia compromised its commitment to human rights and free expression in pursuit of alliance politics?   #AUSPOL  

Support New Politics: 

Song listing:
  • ‘La Femme d’Argent’, AIR.

Eddy Jokovich and David Lewis host New Politics: Australian Politics, a podcast dedicated to cutting through the noise of the daily news cycle. Their conversations go beyond the headlines and parliamentary theatre, digging into the stories and power dynamics that often get sidelined. They focus on the issues that mainstream coverage tends to gloss over or ignore entirely, driven by a commitment to the kind of accountability many journalists shy away from. Each episode is built on thorough analysis and direct discussion, offering listeners a deeper understanding of the forces shaping the country. You’ll hear them dissect policy, political strategy, and the real-world consequences of decisions made in Canberra, all with a serious and critical eye. This isn’t about soundbites or partisan point-scoring; it’s about examining how power operates and who it serves. For anyone tired of superficial political reporting and looking for substantive commentary, this podcast provides a necessary and regular dose of clarity. Tune in for their unflinching take on Australian politics, where the conversation always aims to hold power to account.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

New Politics: Australian Politics, News, Analysis & Commentary
Podcast Episodes
The economic recovery, US alliance tensions, and News Corp exposed [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:49
This episode explores Australia’s emerging economic recovery from a per capita recession under both the Morrison and Albanese governments, spotlighting improved interest rates, lower inflation, and rising employment and…
Time out for the US alliance? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:23
In this episode, we question whether Australia should remain aligned with an increasingly unpredictable United States and explore how this sudden shift in American foreign policy, after years of condemning Russian aggres…
We really need to talk about Zionism [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:58
In this episode, we examine the influence of Zionist groups in Australian media and politics, exposing how News Corporation and right-wing activists manipulate public sentiment and suppress criticism of Israel. A failed…
Managing Trump, not Closing the Gap, dirty election deals [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:39
This episode examines Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s phone call to President Donald Trump over looming US steel and aluminium tariffs, the AUKUS agreement and its US$500 million payment, and the potential political fa…
The ABC of Peter Dutton and the sacking of a journalist [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:30
We examine the return of Parliament in 2025, the government’s shelving of the Environmental Protection Agency, and stalled gambling advertising legislation that may never advance. There’s a lot of announcements but drawi…
Australia’s culture wars, Trump’s mayhem, and a fragile ceasefire [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:49
In this first New Politics podcast episode of 2025, we examine conservative calls to celebrate Australia Day (Invasion Day) despite widespread ambivalence, Sussan Ley’s bizarre comparison of the First Fleet to an Elon Mu…
2025 election countdown: the battle for Australia’s future [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:11
In this episode of New Politics, we explore the key issues that will shape Australia’s 2025 federal election, from economic challenges and leadership struggles to the growing influence of independents. As Anthony Albanes…
2024: The Review of a Big Year in Politics [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:53
In this episode, we explore the key issues that shaped Australian federal politics throughout 2024, examining the highs and lows, the moments that truly mattered, and those that didn’t. The state of the economy, the role…
Labor leadership disinformation and an environmental fail [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:03
In this episode, we explore the media's exaggerated reports of a rift between Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek—a conflict that appears more fiction than fact that was triggered by…
The End of Parliament and Chasing War Criminals [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:14
We explore whether the Australian Greens have learned some tough political lessons on housing policy, reflect on the conclusion of the federal parliamentary year with many critical issues still unresolved, and look at th…