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The October 7 attack on Israel has triggered a surge in antisemitic incidents in Australia, with Jewish and Israeli residents reporting increased hostility, vandalism, and violent threats.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrations have intensified in major cities, university campuses have seen anti-Israel activism escalate, and Jewish institutions have been targeted in arson attacks.
"Despite its reputation as a peaceful country, antisemitism has always existed in Australia," said Ran Porat, an Israeli researcher at Monash University. "There were smaller waves in the past, but we were not prepared for the massive surge that followed October 7."
Attacks on Jewish institutions and public spaces
Porat pointed to three main sources of antisemitic activity: far-right extremists, segments of the Middle Eastern immigrant community, and left-wing activists who have aligned the Palestinian cause with broader social justice movements. The largest group, he estimated, consists of tens of thousands of people concentrated in Sydney and Melbourne.
Since the Hamas-led assault on Israel, Jewish leaders and institutions have reported an increase in physical and verbal attacks. Protests in city centers have drawn thousands carrying anti-Israel flags and banners calling for an intifada. Graffiti with antisemitic slogans has been found on buildings, vehicles, and Jewish community centers. A synagogue in Melbourne and a Jewish daycare center were set on fire. The homes of Jewish community leaders were vandalized, and university campuses have seen riots and physical attacks on Jewish and Israeli students and faculty.
Two Afghan refugee hospital workers were suspended after allegedly stating they would refuse to treat Israeli patients and instead harm them. In Sydney, police discovered a bomb-laden caravan near a synagogue, allegedly intended for an attack.
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"This is not just anti-Israel sentiment—it’s antisemitism, plain and simple," Porat said. "Jewish institutions were targeted as a way to harm Israel, showing that this movement is not about political criticism but deeply rooted hatred."
Political and public reactions
Australian authorities have condemned the rise in antisemitism, but Jewish community leaders say the government has been slow to act. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited the torched synagogue in Melbourne, wearing a kippah in a symbolic gesture of solidarity. His government has faced criticism for what some see as a lack of decisive action.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton, of the center-right Liberal Party, has positioned himself as a strong supporter of Israel. The issue is expected to play a role in the upcoming May elections. "The Labor government has sent mixed messages—on one hand, appearing sympathetic to pro-Palestinian demonstrators, while on the other, claiming to oppose antisemitism," Porat said.
Public frustration has also grown, particularly among business owners affected by protests. "At first, ordinary Australians didn’t understand why this conflict was spilling into their streets," Porat said. "But in recent months, they have started pushing back. Sunday protests in city centers have hurt local businesses, and after pressure from merchants, the demonstrations have been reduced from weekly to monthly."
Australia is home to about 120,000 Jews and 15,000 Israeli expatriates. Historically, there was some distance between the two communities, but recent events have brought them closer. "Regardless of whether someone is a longtime Australian Jew or an atheist Israeli, those who hate Jews see us all the same way," Porat said. "This realization has strengthened ties within the Jewish community."
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While tensions have eased in recent weeks, Porat warned that the underlying hostility remains. "There’s been some fatigue in the Palestinian activism movement, but the root cause of this hate is still here," he said. "It’s just waiting for the next opportunity to resurface. These things don’t disappear—they may quiet down temporarily, but they always return."
Despite the rise in antisemitism, Porat still sees Australia as a good place for Jews to live. "For most of the year, in most situations, life here is peaceful," he said. "But the recent turmoil is a reminder that no Jewish community, no matter how far from the Middle East, is immune from these challenges."