Post by : Rameen Ariff

Antisemitism in Australia has surged dramatically since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict in October 2023, leaving the Jewish community shocked and fearful. The violence erupted after Palestinian militant group Hamas killed 1,200 Israelis on October 7, 2023, prompting Israel’s heavy bombardment of Gaza, which has since resulted in over 70,000 deaths according to the enclave’s health authorities. The rise in antisemitic incidents has now been linked directly to growing hatred toward Jewish Australians in the wake of the war.

Victoria Teplitsky, 53, a retired childcare centre owner and daughter of a Holocaust survivor, expressed deep anger and dismay at how the Australian government has handled rising antisemitism. Speaking about the deadly Bondi Beach shooting last Sunday, where a father and son allegedly carried out a 10-minute attack killing 15 people, Teplitsky said hatred toward Jews was allowed to fester and was a more critical factor than access to firearms. She highlighted that the attackers “had been taught to hate,” demonstrating the systemic nature of antisemitism in Australia, rather than being solely an issue of gun control.

The attackers opened fire at a Jewish festival, causing panic among hundreds of people who fled or took shelter before the perpetrators were shot by police. Teplitsky condemned the government for not taking strong action to protect Jewish Australians, stating that the community felt ignored and unsafe in the country they had considered a refuge from hatred. She described how her father, Semyon, 86, suffered severe injuries during the shooting and is now undergoing multiple surgeries, still facing the risk of losing his leg.

The increase in antisemitic incidents over the past sixteen months has prompted the head of Australia’s main intelligence agency to declare antisemitism the top domestic threat. Teplitsky described how synagogues have been vandalized and bombed, referring to a 2024 arson attack in Melbourne that caused no fatalities but sent a clear warning to the community.

The international dimension of the issue has also drawn attention. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, saying he had failed to act decisively to curb antisemitism. In response, Albanese reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to a two-state solution and outlined measures his government has taken, including criminalizing hate speech, banning Nazi salutes, and providing funding for enhanced security for Jewish community groups.

Pro-Palestinian protests have remained common in Australia since Israel’s offensive, but Teplitsky stressed that the broader failure to confront antisemitic hatred has had far-reaching consequences. She called on the government to recognize the urgency of protecting Jewish Australians and ensuring that hatred, discrimination, and violence against the community are swiftly addressed. The Bondi Beach shooting has reignited urgent debates about antisemitism, public safety, and the responsibilities of government to protect minority communities in Australia.

This surge in antisemitic incidents in Australia underscores the need for stronger safeguards and awareness. Experts warn that without immediate and decisive action, the Jewish community remains at risk, while the wider population must confront the growing spread of hatred and intolerance.

#world news #Global News