A national inquiry into antisemitism and social cohesion has unveiled a disturbing surge in prejudice across Australia, demonstrating how deeply the hatred has permeated society. Witnesses testifying at recent hearings in Melbourne described an escalating climate of fear, targeting Jewish individuals irrespective of their stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, even those critical of the Israeli government.

Senior Rabbi Allison Conyer, who also chairs the Union for Progressive Judaism, presented compelling evidence to the inquiry. She detailed an almost exponential increase in antisemitic incidents following the Hamas terror attack on October 7, 2023, and Israel's subsequent military campaign in Gaza. Progressive Jewish movements, known for their inclusive approach embracing LGBT members, female rabbis, and interfaith families, have not been spared from abusive phone calls, bomb threats, and lockdown drills that have become a grim regular feature in community life.

Rabbi Conyer recounted a chilling anecdote shared by a young adult: "Someone was driving by... They rolled down the window and said, 'Are you Jewish? Do you know where the Jews are? We're hunting Jews.'" This testimony highlighted the direct, terrifying nature of some of the threats faced by the community.

The inquiry heard how this wave of antisemitism has created a paradoxical situation. A left-wing university student, who identifies as Zionist but is critical of Israel, was reportedly told "we don't want your Zionist scum here" by a socialist group. Conversely, another student identifying as anti-Zionist received death threats. "This is blatant antisemitism, hiding itself and using Zionism as an excuse," Rabbi Conyer asserted, emphasizing how the highly charged climate means many Jewish Australians feel unable to express their grief for Israelis killed or taken hostage in the October 7 attack without fear of reprisal.

Community Traumatised, Security Strained

The psychological toll on the Australian Jewish community has been profound. Lesli Berger, immediate past president of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies and a descendant of Holocaust survivors, described the "entire Jewish community has been traumatised," experiencing a "profound psychological effect." Mr. Berger shared a deeply personal account of his Sydney home being targeted in December 2023 with a Nazi swastika and accompanying graffiti. The incident left his family feeling vulnerable, prompting him to install expensive security cameras and scrub his address from public records.

The former leader of a key Jewish advocacy group also relayed the terror his children experienced during the Bondi terror attack earlier this year. Alone at home, they "completely panicked," fearing that other prominent members of the Jewish community, including their family, could be targeted. Mr. Berger expressed a sense of despair, feeling that extensive volunteer work aimed at improving social cohesion had been "all for nought."

The escalating security needs have placed immense financial strain on Jewish organisations. The Executive Council of Australian Jewry informed the commission that community-wide expenditure on security has more than doubled available government funding in recent years. Co-CEO Peter Wertheim noted, "In a sense we're always playing catch-up, because the costs keep increasing and the level of need for security measures keeps increasing." While acknowledging the "significant and generous" government grants, he stressed they consistently fall short of what is truly required, with funding often being sporadic or difficult to access. Despite these challenges, both the NSW and Victorian governments have committed millions of dollars to security upgrades in the post-October 2023 environment.

Defining Antisemitism in a Complex Climate

A contentious point debated during the hearings was the definition of anti-Zionism in relation to antisemitism. Several witnesses argued that anti-Zionism is inherently antisemitic, as it denies Jewish people's claim to self-determination in their ancestral homeland. Commissioner Virginia Bell pressed some on whether this implies pro-Palestinian views are necessarily incompatible with the existence of Israel.

Responding to this, Rabbi Conyer urged a rejection of "binaries." "There are many, many Jews and non-Jews who are absolutely sympathetic to Palestinians and their plight, and sympathetic to Israel and Israelis and their plight," she stated. Echoing this sentiment, Mr. Berger underscored the belief that a two-state solution remains "the only viable long-term solution to achieve peace."

The national inquiry continues to hear testimony, aiming to better understand the multifaceted nature of contemporary antisemitism and propose effective strategies to foster social cohesion and ensure the safety of all Australians.