Australia’s special envoy on antisemitism has warned of a “deeply troubling” rise in hate crimes against the Jewish community, following a 300% surge in reported incidents since the outbreak of war in Gaza.
Speaking on Thursday, Jillian Segal outlined a series of recommendations to combat the threat, warning that antisemitism in Australia had reached a “tipping point that threatens social harmony.”
Since Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel, Segal said Jewish Australians have faced a wave of intimidation, including arson attacks on synagogues, harassment, vandalism, and threats. “We’ve seen cars being torched, synagogues being torched, individual Jews harassed and attacked, and that is completely unacceptable,” she told reporters.
One Melbourne synagogue was targeted in a suspected arson attack last Friday. On the same day, around 20 protesters reportedly stormed an Israeli-owned restaurant, and cars were defaced with antisemitic graffiti.
Segal called for tougher hate crime laws, better Holocaust education, and accountability for universities that tolerate antisemitism. Her report also urged action against online hate and biased media.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese backed Segal’s recommendations, calling recent acts of antisemitism “despicable” and vowing they “won’t be tolerated.”
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