Anthony Albanese announces quick action to combat anti-Semitism scourge

Anthony Albanese has vowed to quickly combat anti-Semitism after a second Melbourne synagogue was firebombed.

Anthony Albanese has vowed quick action to tackle the scourge of anti-Semitism after a second Melbourne synagogue was hit in an arson attack.

The Prime Minister said the attack on the East Melbourne Synagogue had “no justification … whatsoever”.

“What’s more, the idea that somehow the cause of justice for Palestinians is advanced by behaviour like that is not only delusional, it is destructive and it is not consistent with how you are able to put forward your views respectfully in a democracy,” he said.

“It undermines our multiculturalism and one of the things that I regarded as Australia’s strength is that we can be a microcosm for the world that shows that people in my local community overwhelmingly live side-by-side of Jewish, Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, that is a strength of our society.”

The special envoy to combat anti-Semitism Jillian Segal found that anti-Semitism had “risen to deeply troubling levels in Australia” in her report to the government.

Ms Segal also called for a review into hate-crime legislation, including “provisions relating to not only incitement and vilification and prohibitive symbols, which we have, but actual hatred and the speaking of hatred and demonstrated hatred”.

Anthony Albanese vowed fast action following a landmark report about anti-Semitism in Australia. Picture: NewsWire/ Martin Ollman

While the report has yet to be published, it’s expected to contain recommendations to reduce anti-Semitic displays at universities and online platforms.

Mr Albanese said there was “no place in Australia for anti-Semitism” and recommendations in the report would be “carefully” considered and “implemented quickly”.

“There are a number of things that will require work over a period of time. Part of the recommendations is that we will receive an annual report and part of that will be an assessment of progress on these issues as well,” he said.

Ms Segal described anti-Semitism as “one of the world’s oldest hatreds” and said the rate of incidents in Australia had increased by more than 300 per cent in the past year.

“That includes threats, vandalism, harassment and physical violence,” she said.

“We have seen cars being torched, synagogues being torched, individual Jews harassed and attacked.”

Mr Albanese has faced renewed pressure over his government’s handling of anti-Semitic attacks after a synagogue was set alight on Friday.

Australia’s national security agency, ASIO, and the Australian Federal Police are probing the incident as well as a subsequent protest at an Israeli-owned restaurant in the CBD a few hours later.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visits the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne after a firebombing last year. Picture: Office of the PM

Friday’s attack drew condemnation from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who demanded Mr Albanese “take all action” to end similar crimes.

A rise in anti-Semitic attacks, including in Sydney and Melbourne, has plagued Mr Albanese since the Israel-Hamas conflict began on October 7, 2023.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan this week pledged to support Hebrew congregants in Melbourne through the government’s recently announced “anti-hate taskforce”.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Bourke said the report was an “absolute core objective of the government”.

“We all wish we could have a plan for the obliteration of anti-Semitism,” he said.

“History has a very different and sad message, but this is about pushing it absolutely to the margins because this form of bigotry is absolutely an attack on Australia.”

Speaking earlier on Thursday, Sussan Ley said she had not been briefed about the report; however, she mentioned the “emotional” interactions she had with the Hebrew congregation at the East Melbourne Synagogue days after it was firebombed.

“I hope that there has been dialogue between the Prime Minister’s team and Jewish Australians. That is the most important dialogue that I hope for,” she said, noting Mr Albanese had yet to visit the place of worship.

“I hope he sits down and has those conversations that he needs to have with Jewish Australians who have experienced something that is truly horrific and that is not a protest but is pure hate and hate cannot be excused or explained away or somehow set aside.

More to come

Originally published as Anthony Albanese announces quick action to combat anti-Semitism scourge