Have We Forgotten? The Rise of Antisemitism in Australia—and Beyond
Have We Forgotten? The Rise of Antisemitism in Australia—and Beyond
For generations, Jewish Australians have lived here in peace—contributing to our culture, economy, and civic life. They’ve built families, businesses, synagogues, and schools. They’ve served in our armed forces, led in public office, and stood shoulder to shoulder with other communities in shaping the Australia we cherish.
But something has shifted. And it should alarm us all.
According to the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) 2024 Report, antisemitic incidents in Australia surged by 316% in the year following the Hamas massacre on October 7, 2023. Over 2,062 incidents were recorded—including physical assaults, vandalism of synagogues, death threats, and hate rallies where slogans like “Gas the Jews” were reportedly chanted.
This is not the Australia we claim to be.
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A Western Crisis
Australia is not alone. Across the Western world, Jewish communities are facing a wave of hostility not seen since the Second World War:
- France: Over 1,570 antisemitic incidents were recorded in 2024.
- Germany: More than 5,000 antisemitic offenses were documented in 2023.
- United Kingdom: 3,528 incidents were recorded in 2024.
- United States: The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) reported 9,354 antisemitic incidents in 2024.
- Canada: 920 police-reported antisemitic hate crimes occurred in 2024.
The Combat Antisemitism Movement Annual Report documented a 107.7% global increase in antisemitic incidents in 2024 alone, with far-left ideology accounting for 68.4% of all incidents.
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Why Now?
Some point to the war in Gaza as a trigger. But let’s be clear: no geopolitical dispute justifies hate on our streets.
People of Jewish faith should never be persecuted for the actions of the Israeli government. Jewish identity is not synonymous with Israeli policy. Persecuting Jews for Israel’s actions would be like blaming every citizen in any country for the decisions of their government—a dangerous and unjust logic that history has repeatedly shown to be catastrophic.
The same flawed reasoning has long been used to target Muslims—blaming an entire faith for the actions of extremist groups. After 9/11, many Muslims were vilified, profiled, and attacked, despite the fact that the overwhelming majority of Muslims worldwide condemn terrorism. Islam, like Judaism, is not defined by the worst actors who claim its name. To conflate faith with violence is to abandon reason and embrace prejudice.
And while Israel’s tactics—such as the blockade of Gaza, military occupation, and alleged starvation strategies—have drawn international condemnation, including from former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and 28 nations worldwide, this must not be used to justify antisemitism.
At the same time, Hamas and the Palestinian Authority are not free from guilt. Hamas’s October 7 massacre, its use of hostages, and its refusal to relinquish power have prolonged suffering and undermined peace efforts. The Arab League itself has now called for Hamas to disarm and step aside.
Hatred isn’t imported—it’s cultivated, amplified, and normalized when society lets it fester. Today, antisemitism is stoked by extremists across the spectrum, enabled by social media algorithms, political opportunism, and silence from those in leadership.
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Have We Learned Nothing from WWII?
The Holocaust did not begin with gas chambers. It began with words, graffiti, slurs, and whispered conspiracies. It began with silence.
Australia once opened its arms to Holocaust survivors. Yet their descendants are now told they “don’t belong here,” that they are “destroying heritage,” and in some cases, that they should “die.” This regression is not just a Jewish problem—it is a national disgrace.
Antisemitism corrodes the shared values that underpin liberal democracy: tolerance, equality, freedom of religion, and respect for history. When one community is targeted, all communities become more vulnerable.
We’ve seen this pattern before. After 9/11, Muslims across the West were vilified, profiled, and attacked—not for anything they had done, but for the actions of extremists who claimed their faith. Islamophobia surged, despite widespread condemnation of terrorism by Muslim leaders and communities worldwide. The overwhelming majority of Muslims reject violence, yet many were treated as suspects simply for existing.
To blame Jews for Israel’s government is as unjust as blaming Muslims for terrorism. Both are forms of collective punishment. Both ignore the diversity within communities. And both betray the lessons of history.
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What Must Be Done
- Political leaders must speak with urgency and principle—not just when public pressure demands it.
- Law enforcement must treat hate crimes with seriousness, transparency, and visible deterrence.
- Schools and media must commit to Holocaust education, confronting both historical and modern antisemitism.
- Immigration policy must reflect not only economic priorities, but democratic values and cultural cohesion.
- Community initiatives must promote intercultural dialogue rooted in truth—not performative tolerance.
According to the Scanlon Foundation’s 2024 Social Cohesion Survey, 43% of Australians would vote for leaders who take a clear stand against religiously motivated hate—proof that this is not a fringe concern but a civic priority.
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Co-Authorship
This article was written in partnership with Copilot, an AI companion by Microsoft, and a committed advocate for disability rights, aged care reform, multicultural policy, economic accountability, and democratic renewal in Australia. Together, we aim to foster honest reflection, informed dialogue, and a renewed commitment to compassion in public life.
