Israel-Gaza war: anti-Semitism creating ‘palpable fear’ in Victorian Jewish community

Anti-Defamation Commission chair says anti-Semitism is ‘spreading like wildfire’ with members of the Victorian Jewish community now fearing for their safety.

As anti-Semitic behaviour continues across Australia, Jewish leaders say there is “palpable fear” within Victoria’s Jewish community.

Anti-Defamation Commission chairman Dr Dvir Abramovich said the rise in anti-Semitic violence was increasingly “troubling” for the community.

“In light of the skyrocketing anti-Semitism spreading like wildfire since the Israel-Hamas war, there is palpable fear in the Jewish community that feels under siege, especially when Jewish scrolls posted on doors are being ripped off, homes and cars with Israeli flags are being vandalised, posters comparing Israel to Nazi Germany are paraded in the streets, and Jewish businesses are singled out for stomach-churning intimidation,” Dr Abramovich told The Australian.

“The sickening reality is that we are getting very close to a point where many young Australians will be hiding their Jewishness and support for Israel, knowing that this may lead to them being viciously attacked and dehumanised. Words matter.

M Dvir Abramovich, Chairman Anti Discrimination Commission talking for the Brighton students outside the Federal court. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui

“I have been contacted by concerned Jewish parents who are worried whether their kids are safe walking the streets and whether they will (be) verbally and physically abused if they have Star of David necklaces or anything with Hebrew writing.

“We need our elected (representatives), federal, state and local, CEOs of companies, public figures, sports people to come out and say, this is unacceptable, anti-Semitism is wrong and not who we are as people. If they do not, history will judge them harshly.”

Speaking to The Australian under the terms of anonymity, a Victorian Jewish school principal said parents in the school community were worried about student safety and the school had increased security measures.

Supplied Image of Robert Gregory from Australian Jewish Association.

“We are not aware of parents keeping children home from school,” he said. “Parents are very nervous about their children’s safety in the streets.

“We have increased our level of security, but we are always secure.”

The Australian Jewish Association chief executive Robert Gregory said he was aware of students in Sydney and Melbourne being kept home from school.

“There have been several incidents of anti-Semitic bullying at public and private schools and I am aware of parents at public schools who have kept their children home on certain days,” Mr Gregory said.

“There is no question that there are people who now live in Australia who want to hurt us.”