antisemitism in Australia

File:Toowoomba_Shul.png and General Advertiser|date=4 August 1875|page=3|access-date=5 February 2025|via=Trove}} the Toowoomba Synagogue, was the site of the earliest known synagogue attack in Australia]]

According to Sol Encel, anti-Jewish prejudice in Australia dates back to the first arrival of British convicts, eight of whom were Jews.Sol Encel (1989) Antisemitism and prejudice in Australia, Patterns of Prejudice, 23:1, 16-27, DOI: 10.1080/0031322X.1989.9969990 Nonetheless, the colonial period was marked by the absence of institutionalised antisemitism found in Europe. Jews in Australia were never formally barred from entering the professions, sciences, academia, and arts. Despite being British subjects, Jews were permitted to run for political office in Australian parliaments even before it was legal for Jews to do so in the United Kingdom.Jones, J. (2004). [https://www.policyarchive.org/download/18260 Confronting reality: anti-Semitism in Australia today]. Jewish Political Studies Review, 89-103. In the case of the Solomon family, whose members arrived in the early 19th century and helped form a mercantile network composed of Jewish and non-Jewish members, correspondences concerning their entrepreneurial efforts contain occasional complaints over antisemitism they experienced in Australia.Richards, E. (2014). Colonial misfits of the 1830s: Three stories of migration. Agora, 49(1), 30–38.

Suzanne Rutland argues that antisemitism started to become prevalent in the country in the 1880s alongside the rise of Australian nationalism and the campaign to establish the Federation of Australia. Trade unions, politicians and the media were hostile to the small number of Russian Jewish arrivals in the country.Suzanne Rutland. [https://theconversation.com/the-long-dark-history-of-antisemitism-in-australia-217908 "The long, dark history of antisemitism in Australia"]. The Conversation. 23 November 2023. {{retrieved|access-date=18 February 2024}}. In 1915, the Labor Party politician, Frank Anstey published a pamphlet, The Kingdom of Shylock, which included antisemitic elements, some of which he removed in a later republication. Due to its antisemitic content, the circulation of the original pamphlet was suppressed.{{Cite Australian Dictionary of Biography|last=Turner|first=Ian|year=1979|id2=anstey-francis-george-frank-5038|title=Francis George (Frank) Anstey (1865–1940)|volume=7}} During the wave of Jewish immigration in 1938–39, Frank Clarke, president of the Victorian Legislative Council, offered graphic depictions of refugees as "rat-faced men".{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205627000 |title=Menace of the Refugee |newspaper=The Age |issue=26,226 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=9 May 1939 |access-date=8 March 2024 |page=11 |via=National Library of Australia}} Other incidents in this period include a 1920 arson attack on the synagogue in Toowoomba, Queensland (see {{section link| |Attacks on synagogues}}).

The second wave of Jewish refugees arrived between 1938 and 1939 and again endured an antisemitic Australian press and anti-Jewish statements by politicians. Pressure groups such as the Australian Natives' Association and Returned and Services League of Australia spearheaded resolutions against Jewish immigration. Nevertheless, the state of Australian antisemitism did not rise to the levels that were taking place in Europe at this time.Gouttman, R. (2019). Not our problem: Australia and the genocide of European Jewry. Australian Jewish Historical Society Journal, 24. Nevertheless, there were reports of antisemitic attacks on Jews stemming from local Nazi sympathisers."Australian Jews". The Examiner (Launceston, Tasmania). 10 April 1939, p. 6. {{retrieved|access-date=23 March 2024}}. In 1941, there were reports of antisemitic propaganda being circulated across Sydney suburbs."Wide-Spread Anti-Jew Propaganda in Australia". Smith's Weekly. 25 October 1941, p. 1. The Social Crediter, a publication run by C. H. Douglas, produced in England and circulated in Australia, was accused of promoting antisemitic propaganda."Douglas Crediters' Anti-Jew Propaganda". Smith's Weekly. 1 November 1941. Page 3."Not anti-semitic: Australian social crediters". Smith's Weekly. 15 November 1941. Page 3. The New South Wales division of the social credit movement denounced the antisemitic material in The Social Crediter."Douglas Credit Attacks Major Douglas". Smith's Weekly. 8 November 1941. Page 3. A related publication, New Times, published by Eric Butler, was accused of promoting antisemitism."So There's No Anti-Semitism?" The Sydney Jewish News. 18 August 1950. Page 3. After the war, The Bulletin published antisemitic cartoons, pushing against Jewish immigration. By 1950, the Jewish Council to Combat Fascism and Anti-Semitism (JCCFAS) observed that 80,000 copies of a single antisemitic pamphlet were distributed in Australia, and alleged that the Jewish community was often uninformed of these developments."In Sydney Wider Publicity Needed For Campaign Against Anti-Semitism". The Australian Jewish Herald. 11 August 1950. Page 16. In response, JCCFAS published and distributed 30,000 copies of a pamphlet titled "Anti-Semitism: A Menace to Australia"."30,000 Copies Distributed by Jewish Council". The Australian Jewish Herald. 10 November 1950. Page 3. Also in 1950, a North Carlton Synagogue and Talmud Torah were vandalised by local youths."Outrageous Desecration In North Carlton". The Australian Jewish Herald. 15 September 1950, p. 1.

During this period, Arthur Calwell, the minister of immigration adopted measures to ensure that Jews would not constitute more than 0.5% of the country's population.Rutland, S. D. "Antisemitism in Australia". In The Routledge History of Antisemitism (pp. 77–85). Routledge. Calwell also halted all immigration of Jews of Middle Eastern origin.Gouttman, R. (1993). "A Jew, and coloured too! Immigration of 'Jews of middle east origin' to Australia, 1949–58". Immigrants and Minorities, 12(1), 75–91. There was a 25% cap on Jewish passengers travelling on Australia-bound ships and planes.{{cite book|last1=Gollan|first1=[by] Robin|title=Revolutionaries and reformists : Communism and the Australian Labour Movement, 1920–1955|date=1975|publisher=Australian National University Press|location=Canberra|isbn=0708102506|pages=158–161}} In the late 1940s, Australian antisemitism continued to involve a strong focus on the prevention of Jewish immigration.Kaiser, M. (2022). The Anti-German Migration Campaign and the Fall of the Jewish Antifascist Left. In Jewish Antifascism and the False Promise of Settler Colonialism (pp. 137-181). Cham: Springer International Publishing. In 1959, Sam Goldbloom, a prominent activist and a federal Labor candidate, was specifically targeted in the publication and circulation of antisemitic pamphlets."The Anti-Semitic Threat". Australian Jewish News. 13 February 1959, p. 5."Violence Threat Against Melb. Jew". The Australian Jewish Times. 13 February 1959, p. 3. Also in 1959, the World Jewish Congress reported that antisemitic literature produced in Australia had turned up in Turkey."Australia Centre for Anti-Semitic Propaganda". The Canberra Times. 5 August 1959. Page 3. In January 1960, a series of antisemitic graffiti was reported in Melbourne including at a Jewish community centre."Swastika plaque spreads and now here in Melbourne". The Australian Jewish Herald. 8 January 1960, p. 1. The incident was condemned by Melbourne's two archbishops."Archbishops Condemn Anti-Jewish Displays". The Canberra Times. 14 January 1960, p. 1. Also in January 1960, antisemitic graffiti in Canberra targeted a Jewish bakery,No Further Incidents in Canberra". The Canberra Times. 11 January 1960, p. 1. and other buildings."Swastika Sign On Building At Yarralumla". The Canberra Times. 13 January 1960, p. 1. And later, the Central Synagogue in Sydney was targeted by antisemitic graffiti."Signs Spread to Sydney". The Australian Jewish Herald. 15 January 1960, p. 1. And later, antisemitic graffiti appeared in Queanbeyan."Nazi Slogans Appear In Queanbeyan". Queanbeyan Age. 22 January 1960, p. 1. By the end of January, Jewish community groups reported that 20 to 30 antisemitic acts had taken place."There Were 20–30 Acts". The Australian Jewish News. 29 January 1960, p. 1. This period saw similar incidents elsewhere around the world and became known as the Swastika epidemic of 1959–1960.

From 1960, Eric Butler's far-right and antisemitic Australian League of Rights, became a national movement.{{cite book |last=Campbell |first=Andrew |date=1978 |title=The Australian League of Rights: a study in political extremism and subversion|location= Collingwood|publisher=Outback Press|isbn=978-0-868-88222-2|page=3}} The organisation promoted The Protocols of the Elders of Zion and other antisemitic libels. The League assisted Holocaust denier David Irving with his visits to Australia. And Veritas, the League's publishing company, published Irving's work in Australia.Moore, Andrew The Right Road: A history of Right-wing Politics in Australia Oxford University Press (1995) p. 69-70Atkins, Stephen E. entry on the league in Encyclopedia of Modern Worldwide Extremists and Extremist Groups Greenwood Press (2004) p. 175 There were also strong antisemitic sentiments from some non-Jewish refugees from Eastern Europe that had settled in Australia. They established Australian branches of the fascist, antisemitic movements such as the Ustaše from Croatia and the Hungarian Arrow Cross.

Other incidents during the mid-1960s involved public Nazi-related displays. In 1965, Prime Minister Robert Menzies attended the inauguration of a new synagogue in City of Kew, a suburb of Melbourne where he laid the foundation stone. Notably, two months later, in October, the synagogue was targeted with antisemitic vandalism."Hooligans deface synagogue". The Canberra Times, 22 October 1965. On May Day in 1966, individuals claiming affiliation with the National Socialist Party of Australia conducted a public march wearing Nazi uniforms and carrying a Nazi flag near the Yarra River in Melbourne. The group was attacked by a large group of local residents."Riot at march caused by Nazi flag". The Canberra Times. 2 May 1966."Nazis on Yarra Bank 'weak exhibitionists{{'"}}, The Canberra Times. 11 May 1966. In June 1966, a Jewish centre in East St Kilda associated with the Hashomer Hatzair youth group was targeted with swastikas and Nazi slogans."Swastikas at local Jewish youth centre". The Australian Jewish Herald. 3 June 1966.

Following the Six-Day War, some far-left activists pushed an anti-Israel agenda influenced by anti-Zionist propaganda from the Soviet Union, which impacted some Australian university campuses. In the 1970s, the Australian Union of Students was under Trotskyist and Maoist influences and proposed anti-Israel resolutions and Jewish students who opposed these resolutions were physically attacked. Attacks on Jewish property and institutions increased with tensions in the Middle East, with corresponding increases in security precautions. In 1975, ASIO documents revealed that Palestinian terrorists planned to kill high-profile Jewish figures including the Israeli ambassador {{Ill|Michael Elizur|he|מיכאל אליצור}} and Jewish communal leader Isi Leibler and journalist Sam Lipski. Former prime minister Bob Hawke, who was deemed a vocal supporter of Israel, was also considered for attack.Nicholson, Brendan: [http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/palestinian-plot-to-kill-hawke/2006/12/31/1167500010729.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1 Palestinian plot to kill Hawke] The Age, 1 January 2007 1978 saw a Melbourne synagogue defaced with swastikas. The local community reported instituted new security measures to prevent additional incidents."Shule daubed", The Australian Jewish News (Melbourne). 13 October 1978, p. 8. {{retrieved|access-date=20 August 2024}}. In his 1989 review of early history of antisemitism in Australia (colonial period through the immediate postwar period), Sol Encel, observed that aside from its impact on immigration policy, antisemitism in Australia in this period can be viewed as a relatively minor social problem.

A 1969 survey found that approximately 20 per cent of Jewish refugees to Australia and 30 per cent of non-refugee Australian Jews reported to have experienced antisemitism in the country.[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/263156833 "Survey: Anti-Semitism in Australia"]. The Australian Jewish Times. 11 September 1969, p. 35.Taft, R., & Goldlust, J. (1970). "The current status of former Jewish refugees in Melbourne". The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Sociology, 6(1), 28-48. The most common form of antisemitism reported involved antisemitic insults or threats, and a minority of cases involved economic discrimination, social discrimination, and physical attacks.

File:Hakoah Club Bondi.jpg

File:1991 Sydney synagogue attacks.png]]

In 1982, the Sydney Israeli Consulate and Hakoah Club bombings occurred. In this event, an explosive device was detonated inside a vehicle parked outside a Jewish centre in Bondi, NSW. Initial police investigations led to the arrest of a 31-year-old man who was charged in relation to the Hakoah Club explosion. The case went before the court, however, charges were later withdrawn by the NSW Attorney General.[http://jewishnews.net.au/jntv/2012/08/29/1982-hakoah-club-and-israeli-consulate-bombings-have-been-reopened/2582 "1982 Hakoah Club and Israeli Consulate Bombings Have Been Reopened"]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221012350/http://jewishnews.net.au/jntv/2012/08/29/1982-hakoah-club-and-israeli-consulate-bombings-have-been-reopened/2582 |date=21 December 2014 }} JewishNews.net.au. 29 August 2012.Mercer, Neil. [http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/police-have-new-lead-in-hakoah-club-bombing-20121209-2b3k7.html "Police have new lead in Hakoah Club bombing"]. The Sydney Morning Herald. 12 September 2012.[http://mobile.news.com.au/national/hakoah-bombing-mystery-re-opens/story-e6frfkp9-1226458015049 "Hakoah bombing mystery re-opens"]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221020201/http://mobile.news.com.au/national/hakoah-bombing-mystery-re-opens/story-e6frfkp9-1226458015049 |date=21 December 2014 }} News.com.au 25 August 2012.[http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2012-08-26/police-reopen-1982-sydney-bombings-case/4223184 "Police reopen 1982 Sydney bombings case"]. ABC News (Australia). 26 August 2012. Other threats against Jewish community institutions stemming from Arab terrorist groups arose in the late 1980s.

In 1988, a speech by Taj El-Din Hilaly, a prominent Muslim cleric, at the University of Sydney was treated by the Australian Jewish community as a significant attack against Jews. In a lecture to a group of Muslim students at the university, Hilaly made statements that aligned with major antisemitic tropes concerning Jews.Hilaly, T. E.D. (1988). [http://www.ci-ce-ct.com/Feature%20articles/Mufti/muftispeech.asp Mufti speeches] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720060439/http://www.ci-ce-ct.com/Feature%20articles/Mufti/muftispeech10.asp |title=1988 speech entitled, 'The Disposition of Jews in the light of the Qumran'|date=1988 |access-date=1 December 2005}} Despite the subsequent critical coverage of the incident, Hilaly refused to apologise or retract his comments.{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/immigration-mistakes-return-to-haunt-us-20061031-gdopwh.html|title = Immigration mistakes return to haunt us|date = 31 October 2006}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/listen/radionational|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060528101555/http://www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/8.30/relrpt/stories/s1469192.htm|url-status=dead|title=The Religion Report|author=David Rutledge|archive-date=28 May 2006|publisher=ABC Radio National|access-date=27 March 2025}} The following year, the Executive Council of Australian Jewry began tracking antisemitic incidents across the country.Melissa Singer. [https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3332772,00.html "Australia: 'Anti-Semitic incidents on the rise']. ynet. 26 November 2006. {{retrieved|access-date= 18 February 2024}}. In November 1989, three synagogues in Melbourne were vandalised with various antisemitic slogans and slurs.Kleerekoper, Victor (1989). [https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/261891879 More anti-semitic daubings]. The Australian Jewish News. 10 November 1989. {{retrieved|access-date=13 January 2025}}. In 1995, over 60 graves and headstones in the Jewish section of West Terrace Cemetery in Adelaide were desecrated, leading to condemnations from Israeli Prime Minister, Yitzhak Rabin and Australian Prime Minister, Paul Keating.[https://www.jta.org/archive/rabin-letter-read-at-cemetery-in-australia-after-desecration Rabin Letter Read at Cemetery in Australia After Desecration] The Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 17 July 1995[https://www.jta.org/archive/australian-prime-minister-condemns-attack-on-cemetery Australian Prime Minister Condemns Attack on Cemetery] The Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 10 July 1995 The late 1980s and 1990s saw a number of significant attacks on Australian synagogues (see {{section link| |Attacks on synagogues}}).

After the 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States, the Australian Jewish community became a prime target of Al-Qaeda terror cells.Lawrence, D. (2017). A Sense of Embattlement: Australian Jewish Community Leadership's Response to 9/11. Memory and the Wars on Terror: Australian and British Perspectives, 201-217. Prior to this, terrorism in Australia impacted the Australian Jewish community in the form of the 1982 bombing of a Jewish centre in Sydney. In the 2000s, Islamic terrorist threats appeared to be thwarted by Australian authorities. Instances include an Al-Qaeda plot to attack the 2000 Summer Olympics, the Israeli embassy in Canberra, as well as Jewish community targets. The plot was discovered after a raid on the house of Jack Roche who would be convicted in 2004.[https://www.smh.com.au/national/al-qaeda-targeted-olympics-jews-court-20040520-gdiymj.html "Al-Qaeda targeted Olympics, Jews: court"]. The Sydney Morning Herald. 20 May 2004. {{retrieved|access-date=15 May 2024}}. In 2003, Bilal Khazal, a Lebanese Australian, a former baggage handler for Qantas at Sydney Airport, and a prominent figure in the Islamic Youth Movement, an offshoot of Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jam'ah Association of Australia (ASWJA), was arrested for on terrorism charges including producing propaganda encouraging attacks on the Australian Jewish community.Kontominas, B. (2008). "Khazaal guilty over internet terrorism booklet", The Sydney Morning Herald.

The sale and distribution of antisemitic literature is one area of concern for the Australian Jewish community. In 2000, the Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) found that Fredrick Töben had engaged in unlawful conduct in contravention of the Racial Discrimination Act (1975) in publishing material that was racially defaming of Jewish people on the Adelaide Institute website. Töben was ordered to remove the contents of the Adelaide Institute website from the internet and not to re-publish the content of that website in public elsewhere. He was also ordered to make a statement of apology.{{cite web |url=https://jade.io/article/499268 |title=Toben v Nationwide News Pty Ltd [2016] NSWCA 296}}, paragraph 6. In the following years, Töben was unsuccessful in his efforts to appeal the ruling. In 2009, after Töben's website continued to house antisemitic material, Töben was sentenced to prison for three months for contempt of court.{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/08/13/2655297.htm?section=justin |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090814205045/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/08/13/2655297.htm?section=justin |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 August 2009 |title=Toben jailed as appeal fails |work=ABC News |access-date=13 August 2009 |date=13 August 2009}} In 2011, during an open day event at the Lakemba Mosque, a visitor reportedly discovered that copies of the antisemitic Protocols of the Elders of Zion were available for sale at the mosque.[https://www.jwire.com.au/protocols-on-sale-in-sydney/ "Protocols on Sale in Sydney"]. Jwire. {{retrieved|access-date=4 March 2024}}.[https://www.ecaj.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/2011_antisemitism_report.pdf Report on Antisemitism in Australia (2011)]. Executive Council of Australian Jewry. The same year, reports were made of extensive antisemitic literature being housed by the Australian League of Rights.

Attacks on Jews also appeared linked to conflicts overseas, such as the 2014 Israel-Gaza war. Incidents included various acts of violence and harassment of Jews on the street, at universities, the use of newspaper cartoons relying on Jewish stereotypes, and the use of anti-Israel discourse to intimidate Jews.Ben Moshe, D. (2014). [https://theconversation.com/gaza-war-lets-the-anti-semitic-genie-out-of-its-australian-bottle-30307 "Gaza war lets the anti-Semitic genie out of its Australian bottle"]. The Conversation. 11 August 2014. {{retrieved|access-date=5 April 2024}}.

Australian antisemitism was linked to extremist ideology concerning the COVID-19 pandemic.Carlin, Naama (2021). [https://theconversation.com/how-covid-has-shone-a-light-on-the-ugly-face-of-australian-antisemitism-154743 "How COVID has shone a light on the ugly face of Australian antisemitism"]. The Conversation. 21 September 2021. {{retrieved|access-date=2 September 2024}}.

A notable case of antisemitism directed at Jewish students involves the allegations raised by Jewish students at Brighton Secondary College. Jewish students alleged that they faced extensive antisemitic bullying and harassment and that the school administration was notified on multiple occasions but took no action.{{Cite web|url=https://ajn.timesofisrael.com/burn-in-an-oven-student-threatened-with-a-knife/|title='Burn in an oven': Student threatened with a knife|first=Rebecca|last=Davis|ref=none|website=The Times of Israel}}{{Cite web|url=https://ajn.timesofisrael.com/more-claims-legal-action-launched/|title=More claims, legal action launched|first=Rebecca|last=Davis|ref=none|website=The Times of Israel}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=HSWEB_WRE170_a_GGL&dest=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/education/heil-hitler-brothers-leave-school-after-horrific-antisemitic-bullying/news-story/8016ef5754c0b56dfcdd22314239a701&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&nk=fa90a4d7926ecf1dab0636c02a2dc65d-1599203588|title=Brothers leave school after horrific antisemitic bullying|website=www.heraldsun.com.au}} Victorian MPs David Southwick and James Newbury advocated for an investigation into the school's response. Subsequently, former students filed a lawsuit against the school and alleged that the school principal, Richard Minack, had referred to Jews using derogatory language,{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/jun/01/a-normalised-culture-of-antisemitism-students-sue-melbourne-school-alleging-jews-were-bullied|title='A normalised culture of antisemitism': students sue Melbourne school, alleging Jews were bullied|newspaper=Guardian Australia|date=1 June 2022|access-date=1 June 2022}} and had spoken positively about his father who served in the German army in World War Two.[https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/nov/24/expert-asked-to-drop-nazi-reference-from-report-on-victorian-principals-controversial-speech-court-hears "Expert asked to drop nazi reference from report on Victorian principal's controversial speech court hears"]. The Guardian. 24 November 2022. {{retrieved|access-date=10 March 2024}}. other schools noted for allegations of insufficient administrative response to antisemitism includes Lindfield Learning Village in North Sydney.[https://www.theaustralian.com.au/dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.com.au%2Fnation%2Fstudent-lifts-lid-on-alleged-antisemitism-at-alternative-learning-school%2Fnews-story%2F1f17c53586d92ef142e829f0d1c0c371 "Students lift lid on alleged antisemitism at alternative learning school"] by Alexi Demetriadi. The Australian. {{retrieved|access-date=3 September 2024}}.

Antisemitism and other forms of hostility to Jewish interests found in contemporary Australian politics is determined in part by Jewish advocacy organisations. In some instances, concern over political parties being positioned as hostile to Jews and Jewish concerns is viewed as arising from different ends of the political spectrum, such as the Australian Greens, a left-wing party, and One Nation, a right-wing party.Lim, A. (2022). "Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council". In: Political Marketing and Public Diplomacy by Pro-Israel and Pro-Palestinian Advocacy Groups. Palgrave Studies in Political Marketing and Management. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. {{doi|10.1007/978-3-031-15332-7_4}} The case of the Greens involves allegations that the party fostered antisemitism.Philip Mendes. [https://fathomjournal.org/progressive-except-for-jews-pejs-the-australian-greens-and-the-7-october-hamas-death-squad-massacre/ "Progressive except for Jews (PEJs): The Australian Greens and the 7 October Hamas Death Squad Massacre"]. Fathom Journal. {{retrieved|access-date=7 May 2024}}. Some charges against the Greens appears to hinge in part upon the assessment of these events in light of competing definitions of antisemitism.[https://www.australianjewishnews.com/a-new-low-even-for-the-greens/ "A new low even for the Greens"]. The Australian Jewish News. {{retrieved|access-date=7 May 2024}}. In the same month, the Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, criticised the Greens party for not sufficiently condemning the rise of antisemitism in Australia following the 7 October attacks.[https://www.pm.gov.au/media/doorstop-interview-sydney-14 "Doorstop interview – Sydney (transcript)"], 9 July 2024, Prime Minister's Office. {{retrieved|access-date=10 July 2024}}. Jewish members of the Greens have alleged that party leaders ignore internal efforts to ensure a response to antisemitism is incorporated in the party's anti-racism response, and to ensure that opposition against the policies of the Israeli government does not provide cover for antisemitic sentiment.Demetriadi, Alexi (2024).[https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/jewish-members-abandon-greens-over-antisemitism/news-story/713332c391dba7511b4c7c8b81559362 "Jewish members abandon Greens over antisemitism"] by Alexi Demetriadi. The Australian. 18 July 2024. {{retrieved|access-date=19 July 2024}}. Following the vandalism and attempted firebombing of the Newtown Synagogue in Sydney's Inner West in January 2025, the local mayor accused the Greens of fanning the flames of antisemitism.Demetriadi, Alexi (2025). [https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/greens-fane-flames-of-sydneys-escalating-antisemitism-tinderbox/news-story/d7c29b27a915540f119d4e81c6f34f5e "Greens fan flames of Sydney's escalating anti-Semitism 'tinderbox{{'"}}]. The Australian. 14 January 2025.

{{See also|Antisemitism during the Gaza war|2024 Australian Jewish doxxing incident|2024 Melbourne synagogue attack}}

Since the October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel, antisemitic attacks and other incidents surged in Australia.Cameron Stewart. [https://www.theaustralian.com.au/dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.com.au%2Fnation%2Fgas-you-kill-you-surge-in-antisemitism-incidents%2Fnews-story%2F478aefb7b8baddacaa56775a8b519cbe {{"'}}Gas you', 'kill you': Surge in anti-Semitism incidents"]. The Australian. 15 December 2023.[https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/it-s-off-the-charts-how-antisemitism-surged-after-october-7-20231116-p5ekm0.html {{"'}}It's off the charts': How antisemitism surged after October 7"], The Sydney Morning Herald. 17 November 2023[https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/10/islamophobic-and-antisemitic-incidents-rise-in-australia-advocates-say "Islamophobic and antisemitic incidents record large spike in Australia, advocates say"], The Guardian, 10 November 2023 Incidents centred in Sydney and Melbourne as well as other regions such as the Sunshine Coast and Perth. Included in this round of antisemitic incidents were death threats to prominent Australian Jews, bomb threats to synagogues, and vandalism of Jewish owned shops. In November 2023, hundreds of prominent Australians signed a letter condemning the rise in antisemitism. The signatories included Daniel Andrews, Gladys Berejiklian, Lindsay Fox and Anthony Pratt.[https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/28/australia-open-letter-condemning-rise-in-antisemitism "Hundreds of prominent Australians sign letter condemning 'abhorrent' rise in antisemitism"], The Guardian, 28 November 2023

In one incident, on 9 October, a pro-Palestinian rally in Sydney organised by Palestine Action Group took place in front of the Sydney Opera House with rally members chanting anti-Jewish statements. The event led to widespread criticism of the rally.[https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/oct/10/pro-palestine-rally-sydney-opera-house-protest-australia-leaders-condemn-anti-jewish-chants "Australia leaders condemn anti-jewish chants"]. The Guardian. {{retrieved|access-date=4 March 2024}}. This rally was widely covered with special attention to the alleged use of the chant "Gas the Jews".{{Cite web |last=Nathan |first=Julie |title=Pogrom in Israel, antisemitism in Australia |url=https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/pogrom-in-israel-antisemitism-in-australia/ |access-date=30 October 2023|newspaper=The Times of Israel|archive-date=30 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030035409/https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/pogrom-in-israel-antisemitism-in-australia/ |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Pro-Palestine protesters chant 'Gas the Jews' outside Sydney Opera House |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/10/10/pro-palestine-protest-sydeny-opera-house-hamas-attacks/ |access-date=5 December 2023 |work=The Telegraph|date=10 October 2023 |archive-date=5 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205165449/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/10/10/pro-palestine-protest-sydeny-opera-house-hamas-attacks/ |url-status=live}} Months later, a police review found no evidence that the phrase was chanted, positing the possibility that the phrase being chanted was "where's the Jews". The police said that there was evidence of other chants used at the rally that were deemed offensive and socially unacceptable.{{cite news |title=Video analysis finds no evidence 'gas the Jews' chant used at Opera House rally, police say |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-02-02/nsw-police-opera-house-protest-video-analysis/103418582 |access-date=2 February 2024 |work=ABC News (Australia)|date=2 February 2024}}{{cite news| last=McSweeney | first=Jessica | title=Israel war: NSW Police find no anti-Semitic phrase evidence at Sydney Opera House protest |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald| date=1 February 2024 | url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/police-review-finds-no-evidence-antisemitic-phrase-chanted-at-sydney-opera-house-protest-20240202-p5f1v7.html | access-date=1 February 2024}} On 10 October, several individuals in Melbourne made death threats against Jews, one group harassing a rabbi and his son, and another asking where to find Jews, saying they were "hunting for Jews". On 11 October, a man in Bellevue Hill, New South Wales threatened to kill four Jewish teenagers in a car with an Israeli flag draped on it. He was later arrested and charged.

In another incident, a New South Wales Member of Parliament was condemned for her use of antisemitic language. At a Palestine Justice Movement forum in late 2023, Jenny Leong, Greens Member for the Electorate of Newtown in the NSW Legislative Assembly, launched the accusation that "the Jewish lobby and the Zionist lobby are infiltrating into every single aspect of what is ethnic community groups ... they rock up and they're part of the campaign and offer support for things like the campaign against the 18C racial discrimination laws, they offer solidarity, they rock up to every community event and meeting to offer that connection because their tentacles reach into the areas that try and influence power. We need to call that out and expose it."{{Cite news |last1=Rose |first1=Tamsin |last2=Rose |date=7 February 2024 |title=Chris Minns warns against use of antisemitic tropes after Greens MP apologises for Jewish lobby comments |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/feb/07/chris-minns-jenny-leong-antisemitic-trope-octupus-greens-mp |access-date=14 February 2024 |newspaper=The Guardian}} After condemnation of the remarks, Leong apologised for her statements.{{Cite news |date=6 February 2024 |title='NSW MP apologises for 'inappropriate' words at pro-Palestine event|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/nsw-mp-apologises-for-inappropriate-words-at-pro-palestine-event-20240206-p5f2pn.html|access-date=7 February 2024}} Australian Jewish press and community leaders described the incident as exposing Leong's use of a 'vile antisemitic slur' and criticised her attempt to minimise the incident.[https://www.australianjewishnews.com/leongs-vile-antisemitic-slur-exposed/ "Leong's vile antisemitic slur exposed"]. The Australian Jewish News. 8 February 2024.Narunsky, G. [https://www.australianjewishnews.com/greens-slammed-over-leong-genocide-claims/ "Greens slammed over Leong, 'genocide' claims"]. The Australian Jewish News. 15 February 2024. The pejorative term is reported to be historically associated with Nazi propaganda.Brendan O'Neill. [https://www.theaustralian.com.au/dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.com.au%2Finquirer%2Fyoung-woke-left-hateful-new-face-of-antisemitism%2Fnews-story%2Fc984cc276a40ee671dd9b04c5b7aa66f "Young, woke left hateful new face of anti-Semitism"]. The Australian. 10 February 2024. {{retrieved|access-date=20 February 2024}}. Leong's comments were condemned by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.James O'Doherty and Madeleine Bower. [https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailytelegraph.com.au%2Fnews%2Fnsw%2Fjenny-leong-accused-of-using-antisemitic-trope%2Fnews-story%2Feefe49399d73c9243b40b16d4d678580 "Jenny Leong accused of using anti-Semitic trope"]. The Daily Telegraph, Sydney. 8 February 2024. {{retrieved|access-date=20 February 2024}}. Jewish community members subsequently protested in front of Leong's office, with some protesters dressed as inflatable squids.Tileah Dobson. [https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailytelegraph.com.au%2Fnews%2Fnsw%2Fprotesters-rally-outside-greens-mp-jenny-leongs-office-in-response-to-comments-about-jewish-people%2Fnews-story%2F5197719550856ab8ad0866749bc500ac "Protesters rally outside Greens MP Jenny Leong's office in response to comments about Jewish people"]. The Daily Telegraph, Sydney. 11 February 2024. {{retrieved|access-date=20 February 2024}}.Danielle Greyman-Kennard. [https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-786535 "Jewish squids protest 'anti-racist' Australian MP after comments of Jewish lobby's 'tentacles{{'"}}]. The Jerusalem Post. 12 February 2024. {{retrieved|access-date=20 February 2024}}.

In November 2023, a Jewish school in Sydney was denied services from a local jumping castle business. In response to an email request for a booking from Masada College in St Ives, the business owner wrote that "There is no way I am taking a Zionist booking, I don't want your blood money. Free Palestine". No official complaint was made by the school. The incident prompted Chris Minns, Premier of New South Wales, to condemn the business owner's actions. After an inquiry, NSW police took no action against the business owner.[https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/15/chris-minns-jumping-castle-business-refused-hire-jewish-school-sydney "NSW police renew inquiries into claims jumping castle business denied service to Jewish school"], The Guardian. 15 November 2024. {{retrieved|access-date=3 March 2024}}.[https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/jumping-castle-business-slammed-as-antisemitic-after-refusing-jewish-schools-request/news-story/f4175d99e6bd16b6b1651acfd373356b "Jumping castle business slammed as anti-Semitic after refusing Jewish school's request"]. news.com.au. {{retrieved|access-date=3 March 2024}}.{{cite web | url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/police-take-no-action-over-jumping-castle-posts-despite-minns-calling-for-investigation-20231115-p5ek5h.html | title=Police suspect no crime committed as Jewish school denied jumping castle | date=17 November 2023 }}[https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/police-take-no-action-over-jumping-castle-posts-despite-minns-calling-for-investigation-20231115-p5ek5h.html "Police take no action over jumping castle posts despite Minns calling for investigation"]. The Sydney Morning Herald. {{retrieved|access-date=3 March 2024}}.

In February 2024, more than 600 Jewish Australians working in academia and creative industries were targeted in a mass doxxing incident. A group of anti-Zionist activists shared a leaked transcript of a private WhatsApp group of over 600 people called 'J.E.W.I.S.H creatives and academics', leaking the names, images, professions and social media accounts of members. The leakers referred to it as a "leaked zionist group chat" and described the leak as an act of pro-Palestinian activism, stating the information had been leaked from the WhatsApp group by pro-Palestinian anti-Zionist Jews.{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/australian-jews-alarmed-after-publicized-list-of-zionists-fuels-harassment/ |title=Australian Jews alarmed after list of 'Zionists' publicized, fueling harassment |publisher=The Times of Israel |access-date=13 February 2024}} The details leaked did not include home addresses, email addresses, or telephone numbers. The leakers referred to the list as the 'Zio600'. David Slucki, Director of the Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation and the Loti Smorgon Associate Professor of Contemporary Jewish Life and Culture at Monash University, said that the term 'Zio' is "an antisemitic dog-whistle popularised by American white supremacist David Duke".{{cite news |last1=Slucki |first1=David |title=Zionism, anti-Zionism, and the doxxing of the "Zio600": Does compassion have to be a zero-sum game? |url=https://www.abc.net.au/religion/zionism-anti-zionism-doxxing-and-whatsapp-zio600-group/103472344 |work=ABC Religion & Ethics |date=15 February 2024}} Some members of the group had previously discussed campaigns targeting pro-Palestinian figures, including writer Clementine Ford,{{cite news |last1=Keane |first1=Bernard |title=My transparency is your doxxing: Hypocrisy and power on display from Labor and the media |url=https://www.crikey.com.au/2024/02/13/doxxing-laws-whatsapp-group-israel-palestine-albanese-dreyfus/ |work=Crikey|date=13 February 2024}} who was involved in the doxing;John Ferguson. [https://www.theaustralian.com.au/dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.com.au%2Fnation%2Ftheatre-board-splits-over-clementine-ford-booking%2Fnews-story%2Fd6cbb8e7d3d6803b73c2c63fc0670924 "Theatre board splits over Clementine Ford booking"]. The Australian. 23 February 2024. {{retrieved|access-date=1 March 2024}}.Alexi Demetriadi. [https://www.theaustralian.com.au/dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.com.au%2Fnation%2Fpolitical-and-jewish-leaders-raise-clementine-ford-curatorship-red-flag-after-creatives-doxxing%2Fnews-story%2Faae6e8abdd09fb3393711c3c3c9bb544 "Political and Jewish leaders raise Clementine Ford curatorship red flag after creatives doxxing"]. The Australian. 16 February 2024. {{retrieved|access-date=1 March 2024}}. Leaders of Australia's Jewish community condemned the incident, including Alex Ryvchin, the co-CEO for the peak body for Australian Jews, the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies{{cite news |last1=Greyman-Kennard |first1=Danielle |title='Jew List' published by Australian pro-Palestinian activists forces families into hiding |url=https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-786099 |work=The Jerusalem Post |date=9 February 2024}} and MP Josh Burns, who stated members of the leaked group had faced death threats, including a five-year-old child and one family had been forced into hiding. Several Jewish Australians whose details had been included in the leak reported on the personal and professional toll the leak had taken on them, including being forced to close their businesses{{cite news |last=Le Grand |first=Chip|author-link=Chip Le Grand |ref=none|title='This isn't advocacy': Social posts on distant conflict tear at close community |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/this-isn-t-advocacy-social-posts-on-distant-conflict-tear-at-close-community-20240208-p5f3h6.html|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=10 February 2024}} and saw the leak as part of growing antisemitic intimidation that had previously been absent in Australia.{{cite news |last1=Koval |first1=Ramona |title= I'm Jewish. I'm a creative. I was doxxed. How could this happen in Australia? |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/i-m-jewish-i-m-a-creative-i-was-doxxed-how-could-this-happen-in-australia-20240212-p5f46l.html|newspaper=The Age|date=13 February 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/radionational-breakfast/jewish-australians-back-anti-doxing-laws/103458190 |title=Jewish Australians back anti-doxing laws |date=12 February 2024 |publisher=ABC RN Breakfast|access-date=23 February 2024}} The Albanese government was strongly critical of the publication of the list, and shortly thereafter announced new laws to combat doxing, the malicious release of personal information.{{cite news |last1=Crowe |first1=David |title='Doxxing' laws to be brought forward after Jewish WhatsApp leak |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/doxxing-laws-to-be-brought-forward-after-jewish-whatsapp-leak-20240212-p5f4cc.html|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=14 February 2024}}{{cite news |date= 12 September 2024 |title= Australia introduces new hate crime and anti-doxxing legislation amid rising antisemitism|url= https://www.jpost.com/international/article-819799|work= Jerusalem Post |access-date=12 September 2024}} In September 2024, Victorian Police arrested a woman in relation to the case.Demetriadi, Alexi. [https://www.theaustralian.com.au/dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.com.au%2Fnation%2Fvictoria-police-makes-first-doxxing-investigation-arrest%2Fnews-story%2F7edc33baf2dc902c6bbcb53c2c41c1ff "Victoria Police makes first doxxing investigation arrest"]. The Australian. 18 November 2024.

Antisemitism at Australian universities was a focal point in the aftermath of the 7 October attacks. Of primary concern were allegations against the University of Sydney.[https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/jewish-academic-says-sydney-uni-became-toxic-after-october-7-attacks-20240908-p5k8wd.html "Jewish academic says Sydney Uni became toxic after October 7 attacks"]. The Sydney Morning Herald. 8 September 2024. In June 2024, the Australian opposition called for a Senate enquiry into campus antisemitism.{{cite web | url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/australian-opposition-pushes-campus-antisemitism-inquiry | title=Australian opposition pushes for campus antisemitism inquiry | date=28 June 2024 }} In September 2024, Jillian Segal, the government's special envoy to combat antisemitism, stated that antisemitism at universities has become 'systemic'.{{cite news |last= Kolieb|first= Sharyn |date= 12 September 2024|title= Special envoy: Antisemitism at universities 'systemic'|url= https://www.australianjewishnews.com/special-envoy-antisemitism-at-universities-systemic/|work= Australian Jewish News|access-date=12 September 2024}} On 20 September 2024, at the senate inquiry into campus antisemitism, Mark Scott, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sydney admitted that the university had failed its Jewish students.Yim, N. (2024). [https://www.theaustralian.com.au/dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.com.au%2Fhigher-education%2Fno-one-should-feel-at-risk-sydney-university-vice-chancellor-sorry-over-antisemitism%2Fnews-story%2F60bac2eade2af98da22cf4cf538c953d {{"'}}No one should feel at risk': Sydney university Vice Chancellor sorry over anti-semitism"]. The Australian. 20 September 2024.[https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2024/09/20/opening-statement-at-senate-inquiry.html "Opening statement at senate inquiry"]. University of Sydney. 20 September 2024.

According to Yesodei HaTorah College High School in Melbourne, in September 2024, a student at the school was assaulted in an unprovoked attack, in which one alleged attacker punched the student in the face and another reportedly filmed the incident. The victim's father said the victim sought assistance from bystanders but was ignored.{{cite news |date= 8 September 2024|title= 'F***ing Jews': Australian Jewish teen left 'bruised' after 'unprovoked' antisemitic attack|url= https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-819132|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post|access-date=12 September 2024}}{{cite news| url=https://www.australianjewishnews.com/alleged-assault-at-train-station/amp/ | title=Alleged assault at train station|newspaper=The Australian Jewish News}} In October 2024, a popular Jewish owned bakery in Sydney was vandalised with antisemitic graffiti.{{cite news |date= 14 October 2024|title= Jewish bakery in Sydney vandalized with antisemitic graffiti amid tensions|url= https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-824468|work= Jerusalem Post |access-date=15 October 2024}}

Antisemitism appeared in religious settings with reports of antisemitic rhetoric had been included in sermons delivered by Islamic preachers in Sydney.Campbell, James (2024). [https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailytelegraph.com.au%2Fnews%2Fnsw%2Fimams-antisemitic-sermon-at-masjid-assunnah-mosque-in-lakemba%2Fnews-story%2F20ff0dda3a7f0d8e41d46fa021d4e67a "Imam's anti-Semitic sermon at Masjid As-Sunnah mosque in Lakemba"]. The Sunday Telegraph, Sydney. 10 March 2024. {{retrieved|access-date=2 January 2025}}.

The post-October 7, 2023 wave of antisemitic incidents continued into 2025. On 10 and 11 January, two synagogues in Sydney were targeted by vandals (see {{section link| |2000–2020s|display=Attacks on synagogues (2000–2020s)}}).[https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jan/22/maroubra-childcare-centre-attack-only-about-children-antisemitism-ntwnfb {{"'}}How low can you go?': fear and disgust after antisemitic attack on Sydney childcare centre"]. The Guardian. 22 January 2025. On 17 January 2025, four vehicles and the home of a former Jewish community leader were vandalized in Sydney. Two of the vehicles were set on fire, with one was marked with an antisemitic slogan.{{Cite web |last=Whiteman |first=Hilary |date=2025-01-17 |title=Authorities vow action after cars torched, home vandalized in latest antisemitic attack in Australia |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/17/australia/australia-antisemitic-attack-sydney-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=CNN |language=en}} On 19 January, NSW Police discovered a caravan filled with explosives with evidence suggesting that a Sydney synagogue was the intended target. The explosives were sufficient to create a blast capable of destroying up to 40 meters (130 feet).{{Cite news |last=McGuirk  |first=Rod |title=Australian police link stash of explosives and list of Jewish targets to an antisemitic plot |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/01/29/australia-antisemitism-explosives-sydney/e10d0804-de30-11ef-8889-d5c3924edafd_story.html |newspaper=The Washington Post}} Notice of the incident was leaked to the public on 29 January.[https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/caravan-of-explosives-found-in-sydney-synagogue-targeted-police-20250129-p5l854.html {{"'}}That is terrorism': Caravan of explosives capable of 'mass-casualty event' found in Sydney"]. The Sydney Morning Herald. 29 January 2025. It was later reported that the explosives in the caravan were 40 years old and no detonator was present. Anonymous sources said the caravan was put in place by criminals who were aiming to obtain reduced sentences in return for informing police about the explosives.{{cite news|author1=David Crowe|author2=Perry Duffin|title=Crime gangs attempted to use caravan explosives for leverage over police |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/underworld-crime-gangs-believed-to-be-behind-caravan-packed-with-explosives-police-sources-say-20250214-p5lc4o.html|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=22 March 2025|date=15 February 2025}}

On 21 January 2025, a childcare center in Maroubra, Sydney, was targeted in an arson attack. The centre, located near a synagogue and Jewish school, was set ablaze, causing significant property damage and antisemitic slogans were graffitied on the wall of the centre.[https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailytelegraph.com.au%2Ftruecrimeaustralia%2Fpolice-courts-nsw%2Fmaroubra-childcare-centre-sprayed-with-antisemitic-graffiti-set-on-fire%2Fnews-story%2F8ee410fbc875485dee18e325911c5f35 2025 Maroubra daycare arson attack]. The Daily Telegraph. 21 January 2025.[https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/sydney-daycare-centre-torched-in-antisemitic-attack-20250121-p5l5z9.html {{"'}}Wake-up call': Daycare attack prelude to further antisemitic violence, community leaders warn"]. The Sydney Morning Herald. 21 January 2025.{{Cite web|date=2025-01-21 |title=Wave of antisemitism in Australia continues as Sydney daycare set on fire |url=https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/international/asia-pacific/artc-wave-of-antisemitism-in-australia-continues-as-sydney-daycare-set-on-fire |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=i24NEWS}} The attack was condemned by the Prime Minister, the NSW Premier, and the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies.[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01-21/maroubra-anti-semitic-graffiti-fire-childcare-centre-nsw-police/104840416 Childcare centre set alight, graffitied with anti-Semitic words at Maroubra in Sydney's south-east]. ABC News. 21 January 2025. Calls were reissued for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to convene the National Cabinet to address the issue of antisemitism in Australia,[https://www.theaustralian.com.au/dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.com.au%2Fnation%2Fpoliticslatest-albanese-blasts-latest-antisemitic-attack%2Flive-coverage%2F45d3a051e1f227ac7f34936f3ce082f9 "Albanese blasts latest antisemitic attack"]. The Australian. 21 January 2025. which occurred later that day.{{Cite news |last1=Bucci |first1=Nino |last2=Wind |first2=Emily |last3=Bucci (now) |first3=Nino |last4=Wind (earlier) |first4=Emily |date=2025-01-21 |title=National cabinet meets over antisemitic attacks – as it happened |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/jan/21/australia-news-politics-live-rupert-murdoch-trump-president-anthony-albanese-peter-dutton-election-campaign |access-date=2025-01-21|newspaper=The Guardian}} Additionally, NSW Police added an additional 20 investigators to Strike Force Pearl, the state's antisemitism taskforce, doubling the size of the team.[https://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/news?sq_content_src=%2BdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGZWJpenByZC5wb2xpY2UubnN3Lmdvdi5hdSUyRm1lZGlhJTJGMTE2MzkxLmh0bWwmYWxsPTE%3D Investigation underway following suspicious fire at childcare centre in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs]. NSW Police. 21 January 2025. Albanese and the AFP Chief Commissioner stated that the AFP were investigating whether the perpetrators of some of the incidents were "criminals for hire" paid to carry out the crimes, rather than ideologically motivated individuals.{{Cite news |last1=Jervis-Bardy |first1=Dan |last2=Butler |first2=Josh |last3=Touma |first3=Rafqa |date=2025-01-22 |title='Paid actors' could be behind some antisemitic attacks, Albanese says |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jan/22/paid-actors-antisemitic-attacks-australia-pm-anthony-albanese-police-afp-ntwnfb |access-date=2025-01-22|newspaper=The Guardian}} Following this, the federal police launched an investigation whether "overseas actors or individuals" are paying criminals to carry out antisemitic acts.{{Cite web |title=Australian police say antisemitic crimes may be funded overseas |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8057j0mz5mo |access-date=2025-01-22 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}[https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailytelegraph.com.au%2Ftruecrimeaustralia%2Fpolice-courts-nsw%2Fson-of-murdered-comanchero-bikie-boss-mick-hawi-charged-in-connection-with-antisemitic-incident%2Fnews-story%2F4cf10162d0991c394a318e4b0505f518 Son of murdered Comanchero bikie boss Mick Hawi charged in connection with anti-Semitic incident]. The Daily Telegraph. 23 January 2025.

On 12 February 2025, there was widespread condemnation after a TikTok creator posted a video of two NSW Health workers at Bankstown Lidcombe Hospital appearing to brag about refusing to treat Israeli patients.{{cite news |last=Hall |first=Amy |date=12 February 2025 |title='Vile, disgusting': Sydney nurses stood down amid investigation into Israeli patient comments |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/vile-disgusting-sydney-nurses-stood-down-amid-investigation-into-israeli-patient-comments/pb90p35y2 |access-date=13 February 2025 |work=SBS News}}{{cite news |last=Boscaini |first=Joshua |date=13 February 2025 |title=Health workers condemn video showing NSW Health nurses bragging about killing Israeli patients |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-13/health-workers-condemn-nsw-health-nurse-video/104927954 |access-date=13 February 2025 |work=ABC News}} The two nurses were immediately suspended pending an investigation.{{cite news |last1=Hohne |first1=Josh |last2=Theocharous |first2=Mikala |date=13 February 2025 |title=Police move in on Sydney nurses stood down over alleged antisemitic video |url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/video-of-pair-wearing-nsw-health-uniforms-and-making-antisemitic-remarks-referred-to-police/a76f2e22-ed11-47df-a092-6644295b1c2a |access-date=13 February 2025 |work=Nine News}}

{{Further|Attacks on synagogues}}

File:Toowoomba Synagogue (1920).jpg

In Australia, attacks on synagogues have occurred from as early as 1920 (impacting the synagogue in Toowoomba, Queensland). Attacks on synagogues occurred with greater frequency from the 1990s onward.

• 1920 Toowoomba Synagogue attack – In 1920, an arson attack reportedly occurred at the Beth Yisrael Synagogue in Toowoomba, Queensland. The synagogue targeted in the arson attack was originally established in 1875.[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/70585732 "New Jewish Synagogue, Toowoomba"]. Australian Town and Country Journal, 25 September 1875, p. 21. {{retrieved|access-date=4 February 2025}} – vie Trove The attackers reportedly entered the synagogue property, breaking down one of the doors, smashed a clock, and lit a fire which burned for three days causing considerable damage.[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/174105311 "Jewish Synagogue Damaged"]. Darling Downs Gazette. 22 October 1920, p. 2 – vie Trove[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/186530518/21171132 "Damage at Toowoomba Synagogue"]. The Week. 29 October 1920, p. 19. {{retrieved|access-date=13 January 2025}} – vie Trove
• 1968 Carlton Synagogue attack – In 1968, the Carlton Synagogue, was attacked by vandals. The attack involved destruction of property, theft, and the desecration of holy books and ritual objects. Reportedly, the vandals smashes of all the synagogue windows, ripped the telephone wires, tore down the pulpit microphone, knocked over pews, and scattered prayer books and prayer shawls on the floor. The attackers also stole a carpet sweeper, a floor polisher,[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/263016433 Carlton Shule damaged]. The Australian Jewish News. Friday 5 July 1968. {{retrieved|access-date=4 February 2025}} – vie Trove as well as brass and silver fittings.Turnbull, M. J. (1993). Australian Jewish Historical Society Journal 12(1): 115-131. The synagogue president stated that it was the worst case of synagogue vandalism in Australia, and The Australian Jewish News criticised the general Australian media outlets for their insufficient coverage of the incident.[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/263016433 Inter-faith watch?]. The Australian Jewish News. Friday 5 July 1968. {{retrieved|access-date=4 February 2025}}.

{{See also|1991 Sydney synagogue attacks}}

Synagogue attacks in this period include a 1991 arson attack on the North Shore Temple Emanuel in North Sydney.Johnson, J. R. (1994) "Arson Attacks on Synagogues". NSW Legislative Council. 30 November 1994. {{retrieved|access-date=10 March 2024}}. That same year an arson attack targeted the Bankstown Synagogue in Western Sydney which resulted in the total destruction of the synagogue building.[https://www.jta.org/archive/fire-at-synagogue-in-sydney-is-fourth-arson-in-six-weeks "Fire at Synagogue in Sydney is Fourth Arson in Six Weeks"]. Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 7 March 1991. {{retrieved|access-date=4 March 2024}}.Rutland, S. (2006). Negotiating Religious Dialogue: A Response to the Recent Increase in Anti-Semitism in Australia. Negotiating the Sacred: Blasphemy and Sacrilege in a Multicultural Society, 17-30. The Bankstown Jewish community had been active since the first decades of the 20th century and had first established a synagogue in 1914.[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/120823504 "Consecration of new synagogue at Bankstown"]. The Hebrew Standard of Australasia. 8 April 1914. {{retrieved|access-date=5 March 2024}}. The site was redeveloped and serves as a Uniting Church Aged Care facility.[https://catalogue.cbcity.nsw.gov.au/libero/WebopacOpenURL.cls?ACTION=DISPLAY&sid=LIBERO:DBK&RSN=888449 "Jewish Martyrs War Memorial Synagogue, Meredith Street Bankstown"]. Canterbury Bankstown Library and Knowledge Centres. {{retrieved|access-date=19 March 2024}}. Several other synagogues in Sydney were also targeted by arsonists that year. Synagogues in other cities also suffered from attacks in 1991. Bricks were thrown through a window at the Newcastle synagogue, and a bloodied pig's head was placed at the Brisbane synagogue."Antisemitism in 1991 The year of 150 attacks". The Australian Jewish News. 10 January 1992. p. 3. In 1993, on the anniversary of Kristallnacht, the Newtown synagogue, Sydney's second oldest synagogue, was subjected to an arson attack.[https://www.jta.org/archive/extensive-damage-caused-by-arson-to-sydney-shul-on-kristallnacht "Extensive damage caused by arson to Sydney shul"]. Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 1993. {{retrieved|access-date=10 March 2024}}. In 1995, an arson attack took place on the Adass Israel synagogue in Glen Eira (in South East Melbourne).[https://skhs.org.au/SKHSchurches/adass_israel_congregation.htm "Adass Israel congregation"]. skhs.org.au. {{retrieved|access-date=10 March 2024}}. In 2024, the same synagogue was firebombed, sustaining significant damage. Other incidents include a 1990 attack where petrol bombs were thrown at a synagogue in Melbourne.Steve Lipman. [https://www.jta.org/2014/11/18/ny/a-timeline-of-attacks-on-synagogues "A Timeline of Attacks on Synagogues"]. Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 18 November 2014. {{retrieved|access-date=20 February 2024}}. And attacks on synagogues and Jewish schools occurred through the 1990s and continued during the 2000s.Daniel Meyerowitz-Katz. [https://aijac.org.au/update/australia-s-jewish-community-has-legitimate-secu/ "Australia's Jewish community has legitimate security concerns"]. Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council. 1 February 2012. {{retrieved|access-date=20 February 2024}}.

Between 2000 and 2023 (prior to 7 October, see below), synagogues across Australia were targeted in acts of vandalism or arson. Attacks have occurred in 2000 (Sydney, Canberra),Baden, Samantha. [https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/262680713 "Bondi synagogue attacked"]. The Australian Jewish News. 10 November 2000. {{retrieved|access-date=4 March 2024}}.[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/262680068 "Sydney Jewry targeted"]. The Australian Jewish News. 20 October 2000. {{retrieved|access-date=4 March 2024}}. 2001 (Canberra),Freedman, Bernard. [https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/262916903 "Synagogue firebombed"]. The Australian Jewish News. 6 April 2001. {{retrieved|access-date=4 March 2024}}. 2002 (Melbourne, Sydney),Lee, Allon. [https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/262901291 "Antisemitic incidents rock community"]. The Australian Jewish News. 12 April 2003. {{retrieved|access-date=4 March 2024}}. 2004 (Perth),{{cite web|url=http://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/articles/2004/07/19/news/world/aaa.txt |title=Latest news briefs from the Jewish Telegraphic Agency|publisher=Cleveland Jewish News |date=19 July 2004 |access-date=3 March 2024}}[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2004-07-17/synagogue-attack-is-unacceptable/2010920 "Synagogue attack is unacceptable"]. ABC News (Australia). {{retrieved|access-date=3 March 2024}}.[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2004-07-18/police-probe-racist-graffiti-attack/2011214 "Police probe racist graffiti attack"]. ABC News (Australia). 18 July 2004. {{retrieved|access-date=3 March 2024}}. 2005 (Melbourne, Newcastle),[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/262892670 "A spate of attacks, but no arrests"]. The Australian Jewish News. 12 January 2007. {{retrieved|access-date=4 March 2024}}. 2006 (Sydney)[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2006-07-31/police-investigate-vandalism-in-synagogue-grounds/1226694 "Police investigate vandalism in synagogue grounds"]. ABC News (Australia). 31 July 2006. {{retrieved|access-date=3 March 2024}}. 2008 (Melbourne, Sydney),Jones, J. (2008). [https://www.ecaj.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/2008_antisemitism_report.pdf Report on Antisemitism in Australia (2008)]. Executive Council of Australian Jewry. {{retrieved|access-date=3 March 2024}}.[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/262935650 "Spate of Vandalism in Jewish Melbourne"]. Jewish News. (via Trove). {{retrieved|access-date=3 March 2024}}. 2010 (Perth),[https://www.ecaj.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/2011_antisemitism_report.pdf "Report on Antisemitism in Australia (2010–11)"], Executive Council of Australian Jewry. {{retrieved|access-date=4 March 2024}}. 2011 (Brisbane),[https://www.ecaj.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/2012-ECAJ-Antisemitism-Report.pdf "Report on Antisemitism in Australia (2011-12)"]. Executive Council of Australian Jewry. {{retrieved|access-date=4 March 2024}}. 2016 (Sydney),[https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/city-east/police-investigate-swastika-graffiti-on-jewish-synagogue/news-story/6b2fd822f1f7853699ced9fcd649dfdb "Police investigate swastika graffiti on Jewish synagogue"]. The Daily Telegraph, Sydney. {{retrieved|access-date=3 March 2024}}. 2018 (Canberra),Clare Sibthorpe. [https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-12/canberra-jewish-community-report-rise-in-anti-semitism/10598936 "Canberra's Jewish community 'living in fear' due to anti-Semitic attacks".] ABC News (Australia). 12 December 2018. {{retrieved|access-date=4 March 2024}}. 2019 (Brisbane),"Serious vilification and hate crime: The need for legislative reform". Cohesive Communities Coalition. Queensland. 2022. 2020 (Launceston),Kohn, Peter. (2020). [https://www.australianjewishnews.com/vandalism-at-shule/ "Vandalism at shule"]. The Australian Jewish News. {{retrieved|access-date=15 July 2024}}. 2022 (Melbourne, Launceston),{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}} and 2023 (Maitland).[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-02-03/nazi-symbols-headstones-nsw-police-investigate-hate-crime/101927068 "Jewish leaders condemn Nazi graffiti on gravestones as police probe suspected Hunter Valley hate crime"]. ABC News (Australia). {{retrieved|access-date=3 March 2024}}.

Other anti-Jewish incidents involving synagogues have come to public attention. In one case, in 2017, the likelihood of attacks on Australian synagogues led a NSW council to block the construction of a new synagogue over security concerns.[https://www.newsweek.com/australia-ban-sydney-synagogue-over-attack-fears-has-jews-arms-646686 "Australia Bans Sydney Synagogue Over Islamist Attack Fears, Prompting Outrage Among Jewish Community"]. Newsweek. 4 August 2017. {{retrieved|access-date=10 March 2024}}. In one instance, a public menorah, a large religious display placed in public, organised by a Melbourne synagogue was vandalised in December 2022.Tara Cosoleto. [https://www.theleader.com.au/story/8029786/nazi-symbols-spark-anguish-on-eve-of-ban/ "Nazi symbols spark anguish on eve of ban"]. St George and Sutherland Shire Leader. 22 December 2022. {{retrieved|access-date=12 March 2024}}.Julie Nathan. [https://www.ecaj.org.au/anti-jewish-incidents-in-australia-2023-ecaj-report/ "Anti-Jewish incidents in Australia – 2023 ECAJ report"]. Executive Council of Australian Jewry. 7 March 2024. {{retrieved|access-date=12 March 2024}}.[https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2022/dec/22/labor-liberal-coalition-health-housing-economy-politics-qld-vic-nsw "Eight more bans for Melbourne football violence – as it happened"]. The Guardian. 22 December 2022. {{retrieved|access-date=12 March 2024}}.

File:Adass Israel Synagogue.png.]]

Following 7 October 2023, antisemitic actions directed at synagogues continued. In an incident occurring on 8 October 2023, in New South Wales, two individuals walked past a synagogue and shouted "Allahu Akbar", before saying that they would "blow up the synagogue".A CSG Analysis of Reported Antisemitic Incidents in Australia in 2023. Community Security Group.{{full citation needed|date=March 2025}} On 11 October 2023, in Melbourne, a synagogue received a bomb threat.2023 Victorian Antisemitism Report. Jewish Community Council of Victoria and the Community Security Group. On 23 November 2023, in Western Australia, an individual threw two glasses of red paint at a synagogue. In December 2023, hoax bomb threats were made to several synagogues across Australia. On 25 November 2024, pro-Palestinian protesters targeted a Melbourne synagogue where a panel discussion was organised by the Australian Israel and Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC). An altercation between protesters and counter-protesters led to the police restraining a man wearing a keffiyeh.Alfares, M. (2024). [https://www.theaustralian.com.au/dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.com.au%2Fnation%2Fsnap-propalestinian-protest-targets-melbourne-synagogue%2Fnews-story%2F3c3e3af7e8fade4b38441b4cdcab849d "Snap pro-Palestinian protest targets Melbourne synagogue"]. The Australian. 25 November 2024. {{retrieved|access-date=12 December 2024}}. On 26 November 2024, a Chabad synagogue in St Kilda, Melbourne was vandalised with pro-Palestinian and antisemitic graffiti.{{Cite web|url=https://www.australianjewishnews.com/chabad-st-kilda-synagogue-targeted/|title=Rabbi's wife and children forced to leave|first=Bruce|last=Hill|website=www.australianjewishnews.com|date=27 November 2024|access-date=12 December 2024}} On 6 December 2024, an Orthodox synagogue in Melbourne was firebombed,Sciberras, A. and R. Wood (2024). [https://www.9news.com.au/national/suspicious-fire-damages-melbourne-synagogue/b4f7cc7b-ec15-424d-8dba-238cf4066302 {{"'}}Act of hate': Leaders condemn 'horrendous' firebombing attack on synagogue"]. Nine News. 6 December 2024. destroying holy books and injuring one witness.Butler, J. and A. Ore (2024).[https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/dec/06/police-suspect-fire-that-engulfed-melbourne-synagogue-was-deliberately-lit "Melbourne synagogue fire a 'deliberate' antisemitic attack, Anthony Albanese says"]. The Guardian. 6 December 2024.{{cite news | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-06/anthony-albanese-condemns-melbourne-synagogue-fire/104695284 | title='An attack on Australian values': Anthony Albanese condemns Melbourne synagogue fire | date=2024-12-06 | work=ABC News }}[https://www.timesofisrael.com/melbourne-synagogue-sustains-severe-damage-in-predawn-attack-by-masked-arsonists/ "Melbourne synagogue sustains severe damage in predawn attack by masked arsonists"]. The Times of Israel. 6 December 2024. Shortly after the attack, the Victorian Premier, Jacinta Allan visited the synagogue site to condemn the incident and to announce funding to help cover rebuilding costs.{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}} Following the attack, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that the attack was an act of terrorism,[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-08/pm-says-adass-israel-synagogue-attack-terrorism/104699276 Anthony Albanese says attack on Melbourne's Adass Israel synagogue 'quite clearly' terrorism]. ABC News. 8 December 2024. and later visited the site where he also faced hecklers.[https://www.timesofisrael.com/australian-pm-heckled-during-visit-to-firebombed-melbourne-synagogue/ Australian PM heckled during visit to Melbourne synagogue gutted in arson attack]. The Times of Israel. 10 December 2024. Additionally, in the wake of the synagogue attack, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) launched a specialised operation to investigate antisemitism in Australia.[https://www.afp.gov.au/news-centre/media-release/afp-lead-special-operation-avalite-investigate-anti-semitism AFP to lead Special Operation Avalite to investigate anti-Semitism]. Australian Federal Police. 9 December 2024.{{Cite news |last=Evans |first=Jake |date=9 December 2024 |title=AFP anti-Semitism taskforce 'Avalite' established after synagogue attack |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-09/afp-anti-semitism-taskforce-synagogue-attack/104702994 |access-date=2024-12-09 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}

On 10 January 2025, one month after the establishment of the taskforce, the AFP stated that 124 cases were referred to the taskforce, with 102 selected for investigation.[https://afp.gov.au/news-centre/media-statement/afp-statement-special-operation-avalite-update AFP statement: Special Operation Avalite update]. Australian Federal Police. 10 January 2025. The targeting of Australian synagogues continued after the Melbourne firebombing incident with a synagogue in Southeast Sydney vandalised on 10 January 2025,[https://www.australianjewishnews.com/southern-sydney-synagogue-vandalised-with-swastika-signs/ Southern Sydney synagogue vandalised with swastika signs]. The Australian Jewish News. 10 January 2025.[https://www.theaustralian.com.au/dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.com.au%2Fnation%2Fbastards-angry-premier-condemns-new-graffiti-attack-on-sydney-synagogue%2Fnews-story%2Fa41711f89663b8cd0764a599762d2aa9 {{"'}}Bastards': Angry premier condemns new graffiti attack on Sydney synagogue"]. The Australian. 10 January 2025.[https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailytelegraph.com.au%2Ftruecrimeaustralia%2Fpolice-courts-nsw%2Fvandals-paint-swastika-signs-on-allawah-synagogue%2Fnews-story%2F205159168b573b5bf1150c48920ecf88 Vandals paint Swastika signs on Southern Sydney Synagogue at Allawah]. The Daily Telegraph. 10 January 2025.[https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/monstrous-act-sydney-synagogue-vandalised-with-swastikas-20250110-p5l3en.html {{"'}}Monstrous act: Sydney synagogue vandalised with swastikas"]. The Sydney Morning Herald. 10 January 2025. and Newtown Synagogue in Sydney's Inner West was vandalised on 11 January 2025.[https://www.aap.com.au/news/second-sydney-synagogue-vandalised-with-swastikas/ Second Sydney synagogue vandalised with swastikas]. aap.com.au. 11 January 2025.[https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jan/11/sydney-synagogue-vandalised-swastikas-nsw-premier-ntwnfb "Second Sydney synagogue vandalised with swastikas as NSW premier condemns 'monstrous' acts"]. The Guardian. 11 January 2025.[https://www.jwire.com.au/second-antisemitic-attack-in-24-hours-newtown-synagogue-defaced/ Second antisemitic attack in 24 hours: Newtown Synagogue defaced]. J-wire. 11 January 2025. The Newtown incident also involved an attempt to burn down the synagogue. By 23 January 2025, NSW Police arrested two men in connection to the Newtown Synagogue case.[https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailytelegraph.com.au%2Fnews%2Fnsw%2Fsecond-man-arrested-over-alleged-antisemitic-attack-on-newtown-synagogue%2Fnews-story%2F753d73c6e7e0526eac8ab47e82c4b506 Second man arrested over alleged anti-Semitic attack on Newtown synagogue]. The Daily Telegraph. 23 January 2025.

In January 1960, Prime Minister Robert Menzies condemned recent manifestations of antisemitism in the country: "I think that I should now say that there is absolutely no room in Australia for anti-Semitism..."Robert G. Menzies. [https://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/sites/default/files/original/00000148.pdf "Statement by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. R.G. Menzies"]. Government of Australia. 26 January 1960.David Furse-Roberts. [https://www.menziesrc.org/news-feed/robert-menzies-and-australias-jewish-community "Robert Menzies and Australia's Jewish Community"]. Menzies Research Centre. 2 September 2020. {{retrieved|access-date=18 February 2024}}. In 1995, Prime Minister Paul Keating condemned an incident where dozens of Jewish graves in Adelaide were vandalised.[https://jweekly.com/1995/07/14/world-report-5/ "World Report"]. J. The Jewish News of Northern California. 14 July 1995. {{retrieved|access-date=16 March 2024}}.[https://www.newspapers.com/image/122837984/ "Cemetery: Keating condemns vandals"]. The Age. 9 July 1995, p. 2. {{retrieved|access-date=15 March 2024}}.Rutland, S. (2006). "Negotiating Religious Dialogue: A Response to the Recent Increase in Anti-Semitism in Australia. Negotiating the Sacred: Blasphemy and Sacrilege in a Multicultural Society", 17–30. In a 2013 speech delivered by Malcolm Turnbull on an attack on a Jewish family in Sydney, described the importance of condemning antisemitism in Australia.Malcolm Turnbull. [https://www.malcolmturnbull.com.au/media/speech-to-parliament-against-anti-semitism "Speech to Parliament Against Anti-Semitism"]. www.malcolmturnbull.com.au. 2 December 2013. {{retrieved|access-date=18 February 2024}}. In 2023, following the attacks conducted by Hamas on 7 October, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the majority of the Australian Parliament passed a motion concerning hate speech targeting Jews and others in Australia in the aftermath of the attack.[https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/oct/16/australian-parliament-unites-to-condemn-hate-speech-including-antisemitism-and-islamophobia "Australian parliament unites to condemn hate speech including antisemitism and Islamophobia"]. The Guardian (Australia). 16 October 2023. {{retrieved|access-date=18 February 2024}}. Shortly thereafter, six out of seven of Australia's living former prime ministers (John Howard, Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard, Tony Abbott, Malcolm Turnbull, Scott Morrison) signed a statement against the rise of antisemitism in Australia in the wake of the attack and the threat to national cohesion, stating that "the there is no more tenaciously evil race hatred than antisemitism".Olivia Ireland and James Massola. [https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/ex-prime-ministers-condemn-hatred-spread-by-hamas-call-for-humanitarian-access-to-gaza-20231030-p5eg37.html "Six ex-prime ministers unite to condemn 'hatred' spread by Hamas"], The Sydney Morning Herald. 30 October 2023. {{retrieved|access-date=18 February 2024}}.Michelle Grattan. [https://theconversation.com/six-former-prime-ministers-warn-against-letting-the-israel-gaza-conflict-divide-australians-216636 "Six former prime ministers warn against letting the Israel-Gaza conflict divide Australians"]. The Conversation (Australia). 30 October 2023. {{retrieved|access-date=18 February 2024}}. Howard, Gillard, and Albanese later appeared on a 2024 documentary Never Again: The Fight Against Anti-Semitism.[https://www.news.com.au/national/josh-frydenbergs-tears-over-antisemitism-directed-at-young-jewish-couple/news-story/49eaf321f62f060628b21b84caf832fc "Josh Frydenberg's tears over anti-Semitism directed at young Jewish couple"]. news.com.au. 28 May 2024. {{retrieved|access-date=18 June 2024}}. In the wake of continued antisemitic incidents in Sydney in November 2024, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was criticised by the Chief Minister and President of Sydney's Great Synagogue and by former Prime Minister John Howard for perceived inefficiency in combatting antisemitism in Australia.[https://www.theaustralian.com.au/dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.com.au%2Fnation%2Fanthony-albanese-must-abandon-mild-approach-to-antisemitism-leading-rabbi-benjamin-elton-says%2Fnews-story%2Fb73893dcca8926695486ad3f686d38d3 "Rabbi sermon: 'Step up on anti-Semitism, PM{{'"}}]. The Australian. 25 November 2024.[https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailytelegraph.com.au%2Fnews%2Fnsw%2Fjohn-howard-hits-out-at-anthony-albaneses-handling-of-antisemitism-october-7-response%2Fnews-story%2F238c7ac01e53672e9f14f301353de68d Bertah A. (2024). John Howard hits out at Anthony Albanese's handling of anti-Semitism, October 7 response]. The Daily Telegraph. 22 November 2024. In January 2025, following Anthony Albanese's claim that his government did all that it could to combat the issue of antisemitism in Australia, the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, the peak Australian Jewish organisational body, criticised the Prime Minister for listing his achievements during a crisis where police action have fallen short in its enforcement of existing laws. The peak body called on the Prime Minister to convene a National Cabinet meeting to address the issue.Mohammad Alfares. Coalition figures back ECAJ in slamming PM over anti-Semitism. The Australian. 12 January 2025.

In 1942, the Jewish Council to Combat Fascism and Anti-Semitism (JCCFAS), a Melbourne-based group, was founded to combat antisemitism and fascism. The group operated until 1970.Mendes, P. (2015). The Jewish Council to combat fascism and anti-Semitism and the campaign against Nazi war criminals. Australian Jewish Historical Society Journal, 22(Part 3), 534-547. Another Jewish group based in Melbourne, known as Research Services, was formed in 1960 and operated until the 1970s. The group involved itself in gathering information on antisemitic activities in Australia. The group's members included Jewish ex-servicemen and ex-servicewomen.Markus, Andrew (2010). [https://collections.ajhs.com.au/Detail/objects/53830?fromBrowse=1 "Research services 1960–1967: 'unremitting vigilance, preparedness, and understanding{{'"}}]. Australian Jewish Historical Society. {{retrieved|access-date=19 April 2024}}. Since then, other Australian Jewish organisations have responded to antisemitism including the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) which produces annual incident reporting of antisemitism in Australia (starting from 1989), the Anti-Defamation Commission (ADC), which was originally formed by B'nai B'rith, and the Community Security Group (CSG). Other organisations approach the issue through educational programming such as Courage to Care (C2C) which focuses on upstander behaviour, and Moving Forward Together (MFT) which focuses on promoting harmony through multicultural activities.

The Jewish community in South-East Queensland adopts varied responses to antisemitism, including education initiatives, interfaith dialogue, and security measures. These actions are framed as both protective and performative, aiming to assert Jewish identity within a multicultural framework.Creese, J. (2024). "We're alone in this together: The anthropology of fear and Jewish attitudes to antisemitism". Journal of Modern Jewish Studies, 23(1), 5–25. {{doi|10.1080/14725886.2022.2142774}}

Community experiences of and attitudes toward antisemitism have been reported on in community studies produced in partnership with Monash University's Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation. Findings from a 2017 study include reporting that direct or personal experience of antisemitic insults and harassment over the last 12 months was experienced or witnessed by roughly one in ten respondents, with higher rates for Hasidic and Haredi Jews.Graham, D. and A. Markus (2018). [https://jca.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Graham-Markus-2018-Gen17-Initial-Findings-report-ONLINE-copy.pdf Gen17 Australian Jewish Community Survey Preliminary Findings]. {{retrieved|access-date=18 March 2024}}.{{rp|67–71}}

In the aftermath of the sharp rise of antisemitic incidents in Australia following 7 October 2023, Jewish communal organisations campaigned for the Australian government to create a position to oversee the response to antisemitism.{{Cite news |last=Visontay |first=Michael |date=9 July 2024 |title=Jillian Segal appointed as first Australian antisemitism envoy |url=https://thejewishindependent.com.au/jillian-segal-appointed-as-first-australian-co-ordinator-combatting-antisemitism |work=The Jewish Independent}} in response, on 9 July 2024, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese appointed Jillian Segal, a former president of the ECAJ, as the special envoy on antisemitism to the Australian Government.{{Cite news |last=Wind |first=Emily |date=9 July 2024 |title=Australia news live: Albanese announces special envoy to combat antisemitism, says Jewish students 'worried' to wear school uniform |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2024/jul/09/attorney-general-national-press-club-money-laundering-drug-use-on-the-rise-anthony-albanese-peter-dutton-labor-liberal |access-date=9 July 2024 |newspaper=The Guardian}} A local development following 7 October 2023, involved Jewish House, a Sydney-based non-profit organisation, partnering with Lifeline, a crisis support service, to document how antisemitic incidents, including the public support for the 7 October attacks, and other anti-Jewish incidents, invalidate the experiences Jewish community members, leading to increased anxiety and require culturally-specific responses from mental health support workers.Kaye, A., Phillips, E., Barber, K., Gonda, T., Kastel, M., & Millet, J. (2023). Jews and Israel, a mental health guide for supporting Jewish clients in crisis during the war in the Middle East. A collaboration with Lifeline and Jewish House. Sydney: Lifeline / Jewish House. December 2023. Jewish House also created a dedicated resource website supporting practitioners with clients facing antisemitism.{{Cite web|url=https://navigatingantisemitism.org.au/|title=Navigating Antisemitism {{pipe}} Jewish House|website=Navigating Antisemitism|access-date=27 March 2025}}Demetriadi, A. (2024). [https://www.theaustralian.com.au/dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.com.au%2Fnation%2Frabbi-mendel-kastel-launches-support-portal-amid-australias-antisemitism-crisis%2Fnews-story%2Fd7765db635c8f05d9e3c05cb82036765 "Rabbi Mendel Kastel launches support portal amid 'Australia's anti-Semitism crisis{{'"}}.] The Australian. 17 December 2024. A response by Chabad of St Kilda to the 2024 antisemitic targeting of the home and property of the Chabad emissary family involved increased the number of public menorahs in Melbourne.[https://www.australianjewishnews.com/more-hannukah-menorahs-for-st-kilda/ "More Chanukah menorahs for St Kilda"]. The Australian Jewish News. {{retrieved|access-date=22 December 2024}}. Legal avenues to address antisemitism include a 2024 suit in Australian Federal court against an Islamic preacher in Sydney whose sermons are alleged to have incited hatred against Jews.Demetriadi, A. (2024). [https://www.theaustralian.com.au/dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.com.au%2Fnation%2Fjewish-leaders-take-radical-cleric-wissam-haddad-to-court-amid-inaction%2Fnews-story%2Fcccc8c3d0c4178ffa93ffa22dd4fda01 Jewish leaders take radical cleric Wissam Haddad to court amid inaction]. The Australian. 28 October 2024.Demetriadi, A. (2024). [https://www.theaustralian.com.au/dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.com.au%2Fnation%2Fislamic-cleric-wissam-haddad-fronts-court-as-jewish-communitys-milestone-case-begins%2Fnews-story%2Fcff9a2c65b3c5083af5a0885710fd6ed Islamic cleric Wissam Haddad fronts court as Jewish community's milestone case begins.] The Australian. 18 December 2024.

In 1989, following a number of racist and antisemitic incidents, a community group was formed, known as the Community Alert Against Racism and Violence (CAARAV), led by the Rev. Dorothy McMahon of the Pitt Street Uniting Church. The group's aims were to distribute published materials to counteract racist and neo-Nazi activity. The group was endorsed by religious leaders in the Jewish community.Secord, Walt (1989). [https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/263278385 New group to fight racial violence]. The Australian Jewish Times. 26 May 1989. {{retrieved|access-date=14 January 2025}}.Nugent S, Wilkie M & Iredale R 1989. [https://www.aic.gov.au/publications/vt/vt8 "Racist violence"]. Violence Today, no. 8. Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology. {{retrieved|access-date=14 January 2025}}.

In 2024, Australia outlawed the display of Nazi symbols.Dreyfus, M. (2024). [https://ministers.ag.gov.au/media-centre/nazi-salute-and-hate-symbols-now-outlawed-08-01-2024 Nazi salute and hate symbols now outlawed.] 8 January 2024. https://ministers.ag.gov.au/. {{retrieved|access-date=25 September 2024}}. Prior to this legislation, similar laws were passed in New South Wales (2022),[https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/pdf/bill/27f42540-9953-4dbe-85e4-001a4c952a4c Crimes Amendment (Prohibition on Display of Nazi Symbols) Bill 2022]. https://legislation.nsw.gov.au. {{retrieved|access-date=25 September 2024}}. Victoria (2023),[https://www.vic.gov.au/fact-sheet-nazi-symbol-prohibition Fact sheet: Ban of Nazi symbols and gestures]. https://www.vic.gov.au. {{retrieved|access-date=25 September 2024}}. ACT (2023),[https://www.cmtedd.act.gov.au/open_government/inform/act_government_media_releases/rattenbury/2023/nazi-symbols-banned-in-act Nazi symbols banned in ACT]. 29 August 2023. https://www.cmtedd.act.gov.au. {{retrieved|access-date=25 September 2024}}. South Australia (2023),{{cite news |last= Day|first= James|date= 7 December 2023|title= 'No place for hate': South Australia joins ban against Nazi symbols and salute|url= https://psnews.com.au/south-australia-joins-wa-and-nt-in-ban-against-nazi-symbols-and-salute/124361/|work= PS News |access-date=15 August 2024}} Queensland (2024).[https://www.qhrc.qld.gov.au/about-us/news/stronger-hate-crime-laws News: Stronger hate crime laws are now in effect]. Queensland Human Rights Commission. {{retrieved|access-date=25 September 2024}}. Tasmania (2024).[https://www.legalaid.tas.gov.au/factsheets/fact-sheet-nazi-symbols-and-gestures/ Fact sheet – Nazi symbols and gestures] Tasmania Legal Aid. {{retrieved|access-date=25 September 2024}}. and Western Australia (2024).[https://www.wa.gov.au/government/media-statements/Cook-Labor-Government/Public-display-of-hate-symbols-to-be-banned-in-Western-Australia--20240618 Public display of hate symbols to be banned in Western Australia]. 19 June 2024. https://www.wa.gov.au. {{retrieved|access-date=25 September 2024}}. Notable cases involving the early application of these laws include the arrest of the owner of a prominent restaurant in Sydney.{{cite news|last=Murray|first= D. |url=https://www.afr.com/life-and-luxury/food-and-wine/restaurateur-pleads-guilty-swastika-sign-at-pro-palestinian-march-20241024-p5kl2n|title= Nomad owner pleads guilty to displaying swastika sign at pro-Palestinian march|work= Australian Financial Review|date= 24 October 2024|access-date=14 November 2024}}

In January 2025, Jillian Segal, the Australian Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism, criticised lenient sentencing for antisemitic offenses as a factor undermining efforts to address hate crimes against the Australian Jewish community, and called for mandatory sentencing for individuals attacking synagogues. Following an increase in attacks on synagogues and Jewish homes in the prior months, Segal called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and state premiers to convene a national cabinet meeting. She argued that urgent action is required to implement tougher sentencing guidelines and ensure more consistent prosecution of antisemitic hate crimes.[https://www.theaustralian.com.au/dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.com.au%2Fnation%2Fpolitics%2Fdemocracy-is-at-stake-sos-from-anthony-albaneses-antisemitism-envoy-jillian-segal%2Fnews-story%2F34625ef4e2fe50a25c15e5183c01329e {{"'}}Democracy is at stake': SOS from Anthony Albanese's anti-Semitism envoy Jillian Segal"]. The Australian. 15 January 2025.[https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8866722/calls-to-consider-jail-time-as-anti-semitism-grows/?cs=27845 Calls to consider jail time as anti-Semitism grows]. The Canberra Times. 15 January 2025. In response, Anthony Albanese rejected both of Segal's requests, and stated that sentencing should be left to judges and that he would not need to convene a national cabinet as he discussed the matter with the premiers of Victoria and New South Wales.[https://www.theaustralian.com.au/dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.com.au%2Fnation%2Fpolitics%2Fpm-rejects-envoy-jillian-segals-call-on-synagogues-sentencing%2Fnews-story%2F77d69bda5e6d72f8158726573a5b2a88 PM rejects envoy Jillian Segal's call on synagogues, sentencing]. The Australian. 15 January 2025. However, following an attack on a childcare centre in Sydney, calls for a national cabinet were renewed. The Prime Minister convened the national cabinet to discuss coordinating efforts to combat antisemitism. A key outcome of the meeting was the announcement of a national database to track antisemitic-related crime, incidents, and behaviours.Albanese, A. (2025). [https://www.pm.gov.au/media/2025-01-21-meeting-national-cabinet "Meeting of National Cabinet"]. pm.gov.au. 21 January 2025. {{retrieved|access-date=29 January 2025}}.

The left-wing, anti-Zionist Jewish advocacy group Jewish Council of Australia has criticized what it viewed as conflation of antisemitism with criticism of Israel. It accused some Israel supporters of "weaponising the Holocaust",{{Cite web |last=Wong |first=Kat |date=19 February 2024 |title='Anti-Semitic' rally weaponised memory: Jewish council |url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8526865/anti-semitic-rally-weaponised-memory-jewish-council/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240219083334/https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8526865/anti-semitic-rally-weaponised-memory-jewish-council/ |archive-date=19 February 2024 |access-date=28 July 2024 |website=The Canberra Times |language=en-AU}} and that in regards to pro-Palestine protests on university campuses, accusations of antisemitism are "being used to crack down on legitimate political expression and peaceful protests on campuses".{{Cite web |last=Carr |first=Cameron |date=2 May 2024 |title=This country is set to broaden its definition of antisemitism. Some critics say it goes too far |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/this-country-is-set-to-broaden-its-definition-of-antisemitism-some-critics-say-it-goes-too-far/u8wi00511 |access-date=29 July 2024 |website=SBS News |language=en-AU}} In addition, in a submission to the Australian Senate in regards to antisemitism at Australian universities, the group criticized proposed legislation as having "potential to create a hierarchy of categories of racism, exacerbate division, and undermine collaborative, multicultural, multi-faith efforts to tackle racism".{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Public Hearings – Inquiry into a Commission of Inquiry into Antisemitism at Australian Universities Bill 2024 (No. 2) |url=https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Legal_and_Constitutional_Affairs/AntisemitismBill/Public_Hearings |access-date=23 September 2024 |website=www.aph.gov.au |language=en-AU}}

• Never Again: The Fight Against Antisemitism (2024) — documentary film by former MP Josh Frydenberg released on Sky News Australia, featuring Prime Ministers John Howard, Julia Gillard, and Anthony Albanese.

{{Gallery

|title=Antisemitism in Australia

|width=160 | height=170

|align=center

|footer=

|File:Australian_antisemitism_(1904).png

|Antisemitic article in a Sydney tabloid (1904)

|File:The_Kingdom_of_Shylock.jpg

|Pamphlet with antisemitic tropes by Australian Labor MP Frank Anstey (1915)

|File:Toowoomba Synagogue Attack (1920).png

|Report of an arson attack on the Toowoomba Synagogue (1920)

|File:Antisemitism in Australia (1921).png

| Short article on Australian antisemitism (1921)

|File:Antisemitism_in_Australia_Debate.png

|Jewish community debate over local antisemitism (1922)

}}

• Antisemitism in New Zealand
• History of the Jews in Australia
• History of the Jews in New Zealand
• Antisemitism in Canada
• Antisemitism in health care

{{reflist|30em}}

• Creese, Jennifer. {{"'}}We're alone in this together': the anthropology of fear and Jewish attitudes to antisemitism". Journal of Modern Jewish Studies (2022): 1–21; focus on Australia
• Jones, Jeremy. [https://www.policyarchive.org/download/18260 "Confronting reality: anti-Semitism in Australia today"]. Jewish Political Studies Review (2004): 89–103.
• Levy, Richard S., ed. Antisemitism: A Historical Encyclopaedia of Prejudice and Persecution (2 vol ABC-CLIO, 2005) vol. 1, pp. 45–48.
• Rutland, Suzanne D. "Antisemitism in Australia". The Routledge History of Antisemitism (Routledge 77–85). {{ISBN|9781138369443}}
• Gross, Zehavit, and Suzanne D. Rutland. "Combatting antisemitism in the school playground: An Australian case study". Patterns of Prejudice 48, no. 3 (2014): 309–330.
• Gouttman, Rodney. "Was it ever so?: Anti-semitism in Australia 1860–1950?". Humanities Research 12, no. 1 (2005): 55–65.

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