Jewish Australian lawmakers say antisemitism there is at an all-time high, as the war in Gaza intensifies.
At the same time, Muslim leaders cite increased Islamophobia.
While Australia prides itself on being one of the world’s most multicultural nations, the war between Israel and Hamas has created friction.
Islamophobia Register Australia, which documents hate crimes, has logged 133 incidents in the past month, but the community organization has told local media that the true figure was “much higher” because a lot of abuse goes unreported.
The Executive Council of Australian Jewry has documented 221 antisemitic incidents between Oct. 8 and Nov. 7. From Oct. 1 until Oct. 7, the date of the Hamas attack, there was one incident.
The abuse includes threats of gun violence, threats to mosques and synagogues and to Muslim and Jewish schools, as well as property damage and verbal abuse. Physical assaults have also been reported.
In Canberra, Jewish members of Parliament have said antisemitic incidents were “off the charts” in Australia.
There have been large pro-Palestinian demonstrations in Australia in recent weeks, as well as rallies by supporters of Israel.
Near the Sydney Opera House in October, pro-Palestinian protesters were filmed chanting anti-Jewish sentiments.
Julian Leeser, an opposition Liberal Party member of the House of Representatives, the Parliament’s lower body, and prominent Jewish community leader, told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. Thursday antisemitism is increasing.
“The security situation in this country has deteriorated, particularly for the Jewish community as a result of the demonstrations that we have seen, whether it is the events at the Sydney Opera House, where we saw people saying ‘gas the Jews,’" Leeser said. "People have the right to protest to change the foreign policy of the country. But they do not have the right to go about intimidating people, and I think that that is wrong."
In October, two Australian government ministers said Israel was subjecting Gaza civilians to collective punishment “for Hamas' barbarism.”
Industry Minister Ed Husic and Early Childhood Education Minister Anne Aly are the only Muslims in the Cabinet.
Addressing Parliament Wednesday, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reaffirmed his government’s policy toward Israel.
“We have said very clearly that Israel does have a right to defend itself. We have also said that the way that it does matters and we must distinguish between Hamas and Palestinian citizens, and we have said the same thing consistently,” Albanese said.
Australia's conservative opposition leader, Peter Dutton, has questioned the government’s leadership over the rise of antisemitism in Australia.
Dutton told Parliament Wednesday that Albanese’s government had failed to stand up for the country's Jewish community. The claims were rejected by Albanese, who said he would continue to stand up against antisemitism.
Jews make up about 0.4% of the Australian population, while Muslims account for 3.2%, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics figures.
Australia has had diplomatic relations with Israel since 1949 and is committed to a two-state solution in which Israel and a future Palestinian state co‑exist within internationally recognized borders.
