Iranian-Jewish Relations: Shared History and Connections in Australia

Rana Dadpour will talk about the long history of Jewish life and the relationships between Iranian and Jewish communities in Australia. Through her work in cross-community education and dialogue, she shares experiences of bringing people together for public discussions, commemorations and solidarity initiatives.

Rana considers how learning about one another’s histories can help counter antisemitism and strengthen social cohesion. She also discusses the importance of distinguishing the Iranian people from the Islamic Republic, and the assumptions that arise when cultural identity is taken as political allegiance.

Her recent contribution to the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion forms part of this wider conversation.

Dr Rana Dadpour is a Research Fellow at The Cairns Institute, James Cook University, and founding director of Australian United Solidarity for Iran (AUSIRAN). Established in response to the 2022 Woman, Life, Freedom uprising, AUSIRAN advocates for human rights and democratic change in Iran and amplifies the voices of Iranian diaspora. Rana completed her undergraduate and master’s degrees in Tehran and her doctorate at James Cook University. She has held academic roles in both countries, alongside her involvement in community organising and public advocacy.