Anti-Semitic incidents, bullying, harassment of Australian jews rising tide ‘spiralling out of control’

The torrent of abuse being directed against Australia’s Jewish community and anyone connected with Israel is “spiralling out of control”, with leaders fearing for the safety and wellbeing of ordinary citizens.

Hatred and attacks against Jewish Australians are “spiralling out of control”, appalled Jewish leaders say, citing unprecedented levels of abuse flooding social media, schools, universities, shops, workplaces and everyday public life.

The mounting vitriol and acts of anti-Semitism have left many Jewish people feeling fearful and intimidated, and students avoiding classrooms, Jewish leaders say.

The warning comes as a counter-protest rally, called the “March for a Safe ­Campus”, is due to take place at the University of Sydney this morning, in the face of pro-Palestinian protesters, some of whom have called for an “intifada” against Israeli citizens.

Jewish groups – who have historically kept records of anti-Semitism – are reporting an extraordinary spike in incidents, following on from a 738 per cent increase last year in the wake of the October 7 Hamas terrorist attacks against innocent civilians in Israel.

A racist sign seen at Newcastle in 2023. Picture: Supplied

Rachel, the mother of a Year 10 girl at a public school in the Penrith area, said her daughter was told during a multicultural day by another student that if she brought an Israeli flag to school they would “burn it”.“It was so shocking, she is so proud of her heritage and would dress up and celebrate her heritage at school before this, but no longer,” the mother, who did not want to be identified, said.

Some recent anti-Semitic incidents recorded by Jewish groups include Sydney schoolchildren being subjected to Nazi salutes and Hitler and swastika symbols, the encouragement of children to chant “intifada” at the ­University of ­Sydney, a Year 10 student being told to go “back to the gas chambers”, and a man seen wearing a soccer jersey ­emblazoned with “October 7”, ­apparently celebrating the horrific attack on Israel.

Seen at Scenic World in the Blue Mountains, homemade football jersey in the colours of the Palestinian flag, and the slogan "October 7" referencing the terrible atrocities committed on that day. Photo: Supplied

Graffiti at Double Bay, Sydney. Picture: Supplied

“There’s been a failure to truly grasp the way in which anti-Semitism can take hold,” says Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin.

“Since October 7, we have been telling our nation’s leaders and the Australian public that the hatred, disinformation and incitement targeting Jewish Australians is spiralling out of control.

“We now see government-funded academics encouraging little children to chant in support of suicide bombings and, as yet, no action has resulted.

“No one is shocked to hear about Jews being abused in the street, losing their jobs, receiving death threats, changing schools, even leaving the country.

“There has been a failure to truly grasp the way in which antisemitism can take hold and the fear, paranoia and inhumanity it brings.”

Macquarie University academic Randa Abdel-Fattah organised a pro-Palestine rally at University of Sydney with small children chanting the provocative violent slogan “intifada”

Macquarie University academic Randa Abdel-Fattah organised a pro-Palestine rally at University of Sydney leading children in a chant for “intifada”.

Last year there were 962 reports of anti-Jewish violence, vandalism, harassment and intimidation – a record that looks likely to be surpassed this year.

Zionist Federation of Australia’s Alon Cassuto says Jewish students are being increasingly intimidated in classrooms and are afraid to speak up for fear of being targeted.

“We warned universities last year about the manifestations of anti-Semitism on campuses, but the situation has gotten worse since that time,” he said.

“There has been a collective absence of leadership, with appalling and intimidatory behaviour being ignored in the hope that it will go away.”

The encampment of pro-Palestinian students at Sydney University with tents with the inflammatory slogan “From the River to the Sea”.

Wentworth Independent MP Allegra Spender, whose electorate has the highest Jewish population in Australia, says Jewish students are “hiding their identity” and some are no longer attending university.

The Australian Jewish Association’s chief executive Robert Gregory says anti-Semitism “has surged” and for the first time ever he has heard Jewish Australians, born here, question “whether they have a future in this country”.

“If I had to give one reason as to why this has happened, it would be weak leadership,” he said.

“The Albanese Government has been missing in action.

“We’ve seen mobs gather outside a Synagogue, storm a hotel, Jewish people beaten up, intimidated from attending university, told to stay home for their own safety by the police and doxed online.”

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