Sky News Australia’s main anchor Sharri Markson criticized Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for his inaction in addressing antisemitism in the country during a live broadcast — after a synagogue was torched in Melbourne.
"When no action is taken, then one thing leads to another and you can see how a synagogue was then firebombed. We've seen no political leadership from the prime minister on this issue," Markson said. The arson caused significant damage to the synagogue, with one person injured from smoke inhalation.
Sharri Markson on synagogue attack
Australia's Jewish community, numbering just over 116,000, remains in shock following the arson attack on the Adass synagogue. The assault, seen as a direct attack on a Jewish symbol, marks the peak of a 14-month period during which pro-Palestinian demonstrations across Australia frequently escalated into anti-Jewish protests.
The extensive damage to the synagogue and fears of further attacks on the Jewish community dominated discussions at Shabbat meals across Australia, according to Markson. "It was heartbreaking to wake up to this news," she said in an interview with Ynet. "This attack had nothing to do with the war in the Middle East — it was simply an attack on Jews for being Jewish."
Markson shared that she remains shocked that a synagogue was set on fire while Jews were praying inside. "How does this happen in Australia in 2024? For four years I've warned on my program that if our prime minister doesn't take a stand and show leadership against this rampant antisemitism, it will persist — and now our lives are at risk."
Markson, 40, who anchors the network's flagship news program and spent a week broadcasting from Israel to mark a year since the outbreak of the war, pointed an accusatory finger at Albanese.
"The problem with our prime minister is that he was once a pro-Palestinian activist, shouting into a megaphone at a rally where Israeli and U.S. flags were burned. I've shown that footage on my program many times — it reveals, in my view, where his heart lies on this issue."
She called for immediate action against the rising tide of antisemitism: "It's time for Albanese to direct the police to enforce the law decisively, so we can suppress hate speech, intimidation of Jews, and antisemitic incidents.
“Over the past year, we've witnessed the authorities' weakness in confronting these agitators and his leadership has been very weak. In my opinion, he's done the bare minimum on this issue."
Markson, who in many ways has become a voice for the Jewish community in Australia's local media, shared that the synagogue attack wasn’t just a local topic of discussion — Jews from across the country have been reaching out to her. According to her, many feel a tangible fear for their lives in the foreseeable future.
“There’s anxiety, fear and worry in the Jewish community here right now, as I’m sure there is in every Jewish community around the world,” Markson told Ynet. “We’re trying to live day by day, worrying about what the future holds for us.”
“The attack on the synagogue is the peak of 14 months of hate and violence against Jews here. It feels like these incidents are escalating in severity and frequency. I tried to stay optimistic until now, but today I realize that only strong leadership might stop them.”
She added that some members of Australia’s Jewish community have already left the country because of the rising antisemitism. “It’s happening in small numbers for now, but it’s happening.”
“Before October 7, Australia was such a safe place for Jews and Israelis to live. We didn’t know what antisemitism was and suddenly all this hatred has been directed at us with full force,” she said.
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Since returning to her homeland from Israel, Markson has been wearing a necklace with a Star of David during her broadcasts to stress her Jewish identity, despite having received death threats against her and her family in the past.
She insists the recent events won’t deter her. “I’m not someone who’ll be intimidated into silence or stop expressing my views. I’ll continue urging our local leaders to deal better with antisemitism here and to support Israel, which has a duty to protect its citizens from terrorist attacks. I’ll keep wearing my Star of David proudly in every Sky News broadcast.”