Rise of menacing minority: anti-Semitism scourge in Australia among worst in the West

Australia is experiencing a surge in anti-Jewish sentiment that is among the worst in comparable Western democracies, global research has found, as the PM puts himself at odds with his hand-picked envoy’s recommendations to fight anti-Semitism.

Twenty per cent of Australians hold an ‘elevated level of anti-Semitic attitudes’, according to a new study, amid the nation’s escalating anti-Semitism crisis.

Australia is experiencing a surge in anti-Jewish sentiment that is among the worst in comparable Western democracies, global ­research has found, as Anthony Albanese puts himself at odds with his hand-picked envoy’s ­recommendations to fight anti-Semitism.

An international study by the Anti-Defamation League, conducted by market researcher Ipsos, found that while Australia’s anti-Semitic and anti-Jewish attitudes were rising at alarming rates, coupled with recent attacks, the majority of citizens recognised the seriousness of the issue and would back governmental action.

That research found that 20 per cent of Australians held an “elevated level of anti-Semitic attitudes” – worse than in Britain, US, France, Germany and New Zealand – compared with 14 per cent a decade ago, which was ­underpinned domestically by a “small emboldened minority” amid a global uptick in anti-Semitism among the world’s youth.

It comes as Israel and Hamas appeared close to a ceasefire deal in the war in Gaza that could see the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners.

Although his Attorney-General, Mark Dreyfus, was in Israel meeting with members of Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, the Prime Minister on Wednesday fended off calls to convene an immediate ­national cabinet to combat Australia’s escalating anti-Semitism crisis after a series of recent synagogue attacks.

Mr Albanese insisted a hastily convened meeting on Tuesday afternoon with NSW and Victorian leaders and AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw over the rise of anti-Semitic incidents ­negated the need for a ­national cabinet meeting of all state leaders. “What we want and what people want to see isn’t more meetings – they want action,” Mr Albanese said, suggesting that sentencing should be left to judges. “We have a separation of powers in Australia between politics and the ­judiciary and I think that’s an ­important principle.

“But I certainly support people who make these anti-Semitic ­attacks facing the full force of the law. They are state laws but I certainly support strong action.”

It puts him on a collision course with his hand-picked special envoy to combat anti-Semitism, Jillian Segal, who on Wednesday reiterated the urgent need for a national cabinet and a “complete change” in tackling anti-Semitism. “And a national cabinet at least shows that we have our political leaders focused on the issue,” she said.

Ms Segal welcomed Mr Albanese’s meeting with the leaders of NSW and Victoria, but added: “These (anti-­Semitic) crimes were not limited to NSW and Victoria.”

Ms Segal holds concerns about a piecemeal approach to legislation and enforcement, given there are Jewish communities in each state and territory.

The Prime Minister’s stance comes as the ADL’s global study found that anti-Semitism had surged around the globe after the onset of the Israel-Hamas war.

That research found that 46 per cent of adults across the globe harboured “deeply entrenched” anti-Semitic attitudes, more than double that of a decade ago.

That research found that 20 per cent of Australians could hold an “elevated level of anti-Semitic attitudes”, the highest rate of anti-Semitism among “Anglosphere nations”. ADL’s international policy vice-president, Susan Heller Pinto, cited the rise in anti-Semitic attacks in Australia, believing a “small emboldened minority” posed a “significant threat” to Australia’s Jewish communities.

“Even on the lower level (of anti-Semitic countries), you still see a huge number of anti-Semitic incidents, especially in Australia,” Ms Heller Pinto said.

“Our analysis shows that whereas society at large may not harbour anti-Semitism, shocking violent incidents (indicate a) local, emboldened and violent minority who are holding wider society hostage with their hate.”

She said the research found that while anti-Semitic attitudes were rising in Australia, the majority of people thought the issue was serious and would back governmental action.

“It showcases that millions recognise there’s a problem and that governments can take action (against anti-Semitism),” she said.

Ms Segal, pictured in Sydney this week. Picture: Darren Leigh Roberts

The research included a survey of more than 58,000 people in 103 countries and territories, including 529 in Australia, and was based on 11 questions gauging opinions toward stereotypes and negative tropes about Jewish people, including that “Jews talked too much about the Holocaust, control the media, and have too much power in business”.

An index score was determined by the number of people who respond “definitely true” or “probably true” to six or more of the negative stereotypes. Those with the highest levels included Palestine and Kuwait, both at 97 per cent.

The Prime Minister’s refusal to heed Ms Segal’s call was criticised by Peter Dutton, who wrote to Mr Albanese to convey the “deeply concerning” lack of action.

“It is particularly alarming that incidents such as the firebombing of the Adass Synagogue and repeated acts of hate speech have been met with what Ms Segal aptly described as ‘effective impunity’,” Mr Dutton wrote.

Jewish Labor MP Josh Burns – whose electorate office last year was vandalised with anti-Semitic graffiti and partly set alight – said he welcomed any “nationally consistent approach” approach that sought to tackle anti-Semitism. He said that Tuesday’s meeting was important given NSW and Victoria had the largest Jewish communities.

“But if (responding to anti-Semitism) were to be on a national cabinet agenda in the future, I would have no problem with that,” Mr Burns said. “We don’t want (hatred) being allowed to flourish in any state or territory.”

Mr Burns said targeting any Australian community would not bring peace to the Middle East – “if vandalising my office brought us closer to peace, I would have vandalised it myself” – and that while prosecutors must adhere to legislation, he backed “significant consequences” for those behind synagogue attacks.

“We treat each instance on its specifics and facts of the case, but where people put lives in danger, incite violence, then more severe criminal penalties should be applied,” he said.

It comes after three recent attacks targeting Sydney synagogues with anti-Semitic graffiti.

On Saturday, Newtown Synagogue was defaced with Nazi symbols in what police also believe was an unsuccessful attempt to torch the building.

The synagogue’s rabbi, Eli Feldman, condemned the vandalism but welcomed the authorities’ response, adding that while a vast majority of Australians believed in a fair go for all a “few rotten ­apples” needed to be made an example of.

“What’s happening is upsetting and distressing, (no one) wants to wake up being concerned about what’s been attacked now,” he said. “We need strong responses, and (police, the government) are making all the right noises, and we’re grateful for that and hopeful to see an outcome,” he said.

The rabbi said that Australia was “not falling to bits” and a minority of “rotten apples” were puncturing the country’s peaceful multicultural society, adding that a “two-pronged” education was vital, including accurate information about what was happening in the Middle East.

In December, the Executive Council of Australian Jewry revealed that there had been 2062 anti-Semitic incidents targeting Australia’s 100,000 Jews in the 12 months to September, up from 495 last year.