Antisemitic incidents in Australia surged to alarming levels over the past year, with 2,062 documented cases between October 2023 and September 2024, according to a report by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ). This marks a fourfold increase from the 495 incidents reported the previous year, excluding the wave of antisemitic vitriol on social media.
The report details a grim reality for Jewish communities across Australia. Anti-Israel protests erupted outside synagogues and Jewish schools, chants filled with hatred echoing through the streets. Jewish-owned businesses became sites of harassment and intimidation, homes were defaced with hateful graffiti, and physical assaults on Jewish individuals multiplied. Verbal abuse has become a daily hazard for many.
Australian shop owner threatens Jew
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The ECAJ attributed the spike to the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack by Hamas militants in Israel, which it described as a “sinister catalyst.” Supporters of Hamas in Australia intensified their hostility against local Jewish communities, many of whom strongly support Israel’s right to defend itself.
The report also criticized the tepid response from political leaders, university officials, and civil society figures, stating that their inaction allowed antisemitism to escalate from rhetoric to violence. “Except for a few notable exceptions, the reaction has been lukewarm at best,” the council stated.
“If anyone thought that anti-Jewish racism was a relic of the past, the past year has proved otherwise,” the ECAJ declared. “Antisemitism has been reignited for political purposes. Without decisive action from governments and law enforcement, attacks on Jews, their families, and community spaces will only increase. It’s time to end these hate crimes and hold perpetrators accountable.”
The ECAJ’s findings were echoed by similar trends in New Zealand, where antisemitic incidents rose even more dramatically. The report calls for urgent action to counter the growing wave of anti-Jewish hatred across the region.
In Germany, fear lurks in the shadows of Jewish life
The storm of antisemitism has not been confined to Australia—it has swept across the globe since October 7 and the war that followed. In Germany, a survey conducted by the Central Council of Jews reveals a haunting reality: the attack and its aftermath have profoundly shaken Jewish communities.
Respondents in Germany spoke of an atmosphere thick with hostility, fear of violence, and a chilling sense of vulnerability. Many have chosen to erase public markers of their Jewish identity, concealing who they are to avoid becoming targets. According to the survey, 75% of respondents admitted they no longer feel safe.
A Jewish man in Germany shared a heart-wrenching reflection: “The sharp rise in antisemitism terrifies me. I no longer show publicly that I am Jewish. Most of my family was murdered in the Holocaust, and I never imagined that, as a Jew, I would have to hide again in Germany.”
For many, Jewish culture and faith remain a source of solace and unity. “The importance of Jewish culture and religion creates a space of togetherness and security. This includes the deep connection to the State of Israel,” stated Josef Schuster, President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany.
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The survey also revealed unwavering support for Israel within the Jewish community. A commanding 87% of respondents agreed—either fully or somewhat—with the statement, “Regardless of the actions of the Israeli government, I support Israel.” Additionally, 78% believed that “all Jews must support Israel.” However, 33% admitted they sometimes struggle to support Israel unconditionally. Even so, two-thirds disagreed—either strongly or somewhat—with such reservations.
The Central Council vowed to continue its fight “against the demonization of Israel on Germany’s streets and the negative portrayal of Israel in German public opinion.”