The Kimberley Scheme: how a Jewish homeland almost formed in Australia

As the savage nihilism of the global antisemitism movement continues to take hold of an increasing number of people and nations, Jews and Christian Zionists are thankful that the modern State of Israel exists.  If you are able to get a copy, the May/June 2025 issue of the Israel My Glory publication (produced by The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry) contains an excellent article by Ty Perry on why the State of Israel must exist.  But did you know that a Jewish homeland was nearly formed in Australia in the 1930s?  Land was also considered in other parts of the world but the Australian connection is a fascinating story and one which deserves to be revisited.

We are all painfully aware of the extermination of Jews under Nazi Germany.  Prior to the outbreak of World War II, a bold plan was proposed by a former Soviet official which would have resulted in the lives of tens of thousands of Jews being spared.  In 1939, an organisation referred to as the Freeland League for Jewish Territorial Colonisation identified seven million acres in the Kimberley region in Western Australia as a potential re-settlement point for 75,000 European Jews fleeing rampant antisemitism. The scheme reportedly had widespread support from government committees, businesspeople, trade unions and the church.  The scheme’s visionary, Dr Isaac Steinberg, even wrote that he could envision Jews "writing Jewish poetry about kangaroos and laughing kookaburras".  Ultimately, the proposal was vetoed by the Australian Federal Government.  A confidential Cabinet memorandum published on May 19, 1950 revealed the basis of the Government’s decision: “The Commonwealth does not favour the settlement of any one area by a group of migrants as the establishment of an isolated community of migrants is contrary to the Government's assimilation aims.”

At a time when Jewish refugees were growing increasingly desperate, why did the Australian Government refuse this proposal?  According to some, the answer lay in a contentious policy of the Australian Government of the time.  Mr Warren Austin of the Jewish Historical and Genealogical Society of Western Australia said: “At that stage we had a White Australia policy and I think what the Government was interested in was having British stock coming here. Of course, if it had gone ahead, a number of people’s lives might have been saved from the Holocaust because they would have come to Australia. I think that would be a fact.”

Formally, the White Australia policy was known as The Immigration Restriction Act 1901.  By today’s standards, the policy was openly racist as it only favoured and encouraged British migration.  According to the National Museum of Australia it “…was designed to support the ideal of Australia as a ‘purely’ white nation, untroubled by the threats non-white populations were thought to pose to the country’s social, political and moral standards.”  However, by that stage, there were already approximately 15,000 Jews in Australia, most having arrived on our shores in the preceding 80 years.  Ironically, God would also prove to Australia just what He could do through one Jewish man.  That man was John Monash, knighted by King George V on August 12, 1918 after which he became Sir John Monash.  In fact, it was the first time a British monarch had honoured a commander in such a way in 200 years.

Sir John Monash (1865–1931) was born in Melbourne, Australia to German Jewish parents, who were among the first to permanently settle in Australia.  Before the outbreak of World War I, Monash worked as an engineer in Melbourne where he was recognised as an innovator in the use of reinforced concrete and became one of Australia's foremost experts in its use for bridges, railways and large-scale engineering projects.  But perhaps his most important contribution was to come, for he was also widely regarded as the most effective Australian military leader of World War I.  He was given command of the 4th Infantry Brigade, which he led at Gallipoli, followed by the 3rd Australian Division in 1916. In May 1918, he was promoted to lieutenant general and became the first Australian commander of the Australian Corps.  Of note is the fact that Monash was credited with instigating the offensive which broke the Hindenburg Line thus winning the war.  The British prime minister, David Lloyd George, heaped glowing praise on him, describing him as “a brilliant military commander”.  In 1930, shortly before his death, John Monash was made a full general, the first Jew to attain that rank in any army.  He died as General Sir John Monash.

Monash’s leadership did not end with the war.  In 1920, he was appointed managing director of the new State Electricity Commission of Victoria and soon became chairman. He also led the Special Constabulary Force during the police strike of 1923 and became vice-chancellor of the University of Melbourne and a member of many professional and community committees.  He never sought to hide his Jewish identity either.  Monash remained a practicing Jew all his life. He took an active part in Jewish affairs in Australia and was made foundation President of the Zionist Federation of Australia in 1927.  Although he died relatively young, his legacy continues through various eponyms such as the City of Monash, the Monash Medical Centre, the Monash University, the Monash Freeway, the John Monash Science School and the Sir John Monash Centre in France.  To top it all off, what may aggravate the antisemites of our time is this notation in the State Library of New South Wales: “In peacetime, Monash came to be regarded as the greatest living Australian.”  That plaudit was backed up by the fact that his funeral attracted 300,000 mourners. Australia’s population at the time was roughly 6.5 million people, so an astonishing percentage of the population paid respect to his marvelous achievements.

When a life-sized sculpture of Monash was unveiled at the Australian War Memorial, it was clear that Australia’s respect for his contribution had not waned.  At the dedication ceremony, Lieutenant General Angus Campbell, Chief of the Army, declared, “Australia is all the better for having had him as a citizen, soldier and leader.”  Australian War Memorial director, Dr Brendan Nelson, called him “one of the greatest Australians ever.”  Notably, pointing to his overwhelming popularity, Dr Nelson said that in the 1920s Monash made antisemitism in Australia unthinkable. 

However, what is underreported is the fact that Monash did in fact face hostility. Two men by the name of Charles Bean and Keith Murdoch conspired amongst themselves see to the dismissal of Monash. Bean was the official Australian war historian at the time. Keith Murdoch (father to Rupert Murdoch of Murdoch empire fame) was a journalist. The two of them began a campaign to try and convince the upper echelons of Australia’s military that Monash was at best incompetent and at worst, a German spy.  Historian Roland Perry, author of Monash: The Outsider Who Won a War, once put it bluntly: "Bean didn't like Monash because he was Jewish. Murdoch didn't care whether he was Jewish, gypsy or geranium; his motive was that he couldn't manipulate him."  In his diary, Bean noted at the time: "We do not want Australia represented by men mainly because of the ability, natural and inborn in Jews, to push themselves forward”.  However, Bean later changed his views on Monash and paid public tribute to him after his death.  In fact, Bean also went so far as to actively support a campaign to establish a Jewish refuge in Australia in the 1940s. 

Monash, for all his achievements, was unashamedly Zionist.  Through the Australian Zionist Federation, he issued this statement dated September 9, 1928: “The establishment of the Australian Zionist Federation marks a new era in the life of the Jewry of our Commonwealth. For the first time, Jews of all States are united for a common purpose. We have joined our fellow Jews all over the world in the task of building up the Jewish Homeland.  The Great Powers have approved the Zionist program and have given us their support. The British Empire has accepted the mandate for Palestine and has challenged Jews of all countries to make use of the unique opportunity of once more making Zion shine in its glory. As Jews living in Australia, we have a double responsibility both as Jews and as British citizens, we have to do our share in rebuilding the land of Israel and reviving the cultural and spiritual centre of Judaism. We are in honour bound to do our utmost and to make our share a prominent one.”

Monash died before seeing this long held dream come to fruition in 1948.  Yet, he clearly never wavered in his determination to see the Jews return to their ancient homeland.  Monash was far from perfect.  Yet, God used a single Jew to immeasurably bless Australia.  With Australia also playing an important part in dislodging the Ottoman Empire and opening the way for Jews to eventually return to the Jewish homeland, it is a reminder that God will bless those who bless Israel (Genesis 12:3).  It is also a reminder that we too should be unashamedly Zionist.  That may not be popular at this time, but as Jim Showers, president of The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry recently wrote: “There should be no debate.  Every Christian should be a Zionist and support Israel.  When we stand with Israel, we do God’s work.”  In another article, Mr Showers also said:  “It is time for Christians to embrace God’s plan for the ages and stand firmly with the Jewish people.  To do otherwise is to oppose the Lord and His sovereign plan.”