Albanese says alleged antisemitic abuse at netball match is “beyond belief”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has condemned the alleged antisemitic abuse directed at Jewish children during a Sydney netball match, describing the incident as “beyond belief” and warning that hateful language is increasingly being normalised through social media.

In an interview with Sally Sara, host of ABC Radio National’s RN Breakfast this morning, Albanese said the challenge of preserving social cohesion remained a major concern in Australia and around the world.

“Look, it’s a major challenge here and around the world,” he said.

“One of the things that is happening is that people say extraordinary things on social media and online, and it’s a short step between reading that and it being normalised.”

Without commenting directly on the allegations, the Prime Minister noted that charges had now been laid.

“The allegations, I understand there are charges here, so I won’t go into the specifics,” he said.

But he said the very idea of someone directing hateful comments at children on the basis of race or religion was shocking.

“The idea that anyone would go to a children’s sporting event and say anything that is hateful, let alone anything which is hateful on the basis of race or faith, is just beyond belief, frankly.”

Albanese said the incident highlighted the need for a broader national discussion about social cohesion and community standards.

“I think that we as a society need to come to terms with that. We need to be better. We need to have the discussion, which is a good thing that that is occurring. And it’s good that this was called out.”

Among others condemning the incident was NSW Minister Penny Sharpe, who described the alleged remarks as “appalling” and said there was “absolutely no place for antisemitism anywhere in our society, least of all at a children’s sporting event.”

Alex Ryvchin, who arrived at the courts shortly after the incident, said Jewish families should be able to attend weekend sport without fear of abuse. He praised the swift response from police and the decision by Netball NSW to suspend the woman from all netball-related activities pending the outcome of the court proceedings.

CEO of NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, David Ossip, said the alleged comments were a reminder that antisemitism was affecting Jewish Australians in everyday settings and that children should never be targeted because of their identity.

The comments refer to an incident at the Randwick Netball Association courts on Fitzgerald Avenue in Maroubra on Saturday morning, where a woman allegedly directed antisemitic remarks at members of an under-12 team from Maccabi Australia.

Witnesses alleged the woman, whose child was playing for Saints Netball Club, shouted abuse, including, “F*** the Jews, they should have all been eradicated.”

NSW Police said officers from Eastern Beaches Police Area Command were called to the courts shortly after 10am following reports that a woman had allegedly made offensive comments towards a group of people.

The 42-year-old woman was initially issued with a move-on direction.

Following further inquiries, police served her on Sunday with a Court Attendance Notice for allegedly using offensive language in or near a public place or school.

She is due to appear before Waverley Local Court on June 17.

The incident has sparked widespread condemnation and renewed concern about antisemitism in Australia, particularly when directed at children.

Albanese’s comments come as the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion continues public hearings in Sydney, where Jewish Australians have been describing the impact of antisemitism in schools, workplaces, universities and public spaces.