Antisemitism up 52% in Victoria

The 2024 Victorian Antisemitism Report has reported a surge in antisemitic incidents in 2024, with a total of 552 recorded cases, marking the highest annual total ever documented.

The report was published jointly by the Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV) and the Community Security Group (CSG).

This report found a 52% increase from the previous antisemitism record set in 2023 and surpasses the combined total of incidents from the past five years (2018-2022). The result is no great surprise to community members who have seen frightening levels of antisemitism in the community, on the streets, on public transport, in the CBD, at synagogues and schools and on university campuses since Hamas’ terror attack on Israel on 7 October 2023.

Nothing was more impactful than the firebombing of the Adass Israel Synagogue on 6 December 2024. The attack is still being investigated by Victoria Police.

JCCV President Philip Zajac said, “It is a miracle no one was seriously injured or worse.”

Zajac notes that May was also an unfortunately notable month. He said, “During May, a peaceful rally organised by Christian groups in support of the local Jewish community was infiltrated by violent counter‑demonstrators. Among the horror acts, an elderly lady attending the rally was physically abused and a woman attending in a wheelchair was assaulted.

On Sunday, May 25, our community woke to the news that ‘Jew die’ had been scrawled on the wall of our largest Jewish school. Parents genuinely asked whether they could safely send their children to school on Monday. That same month, Jewish students questioned whether they were welcome and safe at their universities, as they were forced out of public spaces and even teaching spaces by protesters screaming ‘all Zionists are terrorists’ and calling for an ‘intifada revolution’ a violent uprising.”

The 2024 report documents an incredibly challenging year for our community, made worse when you consider that many antisemitic incidents do not get reported to JCCV or CSG. The report noted, “there is significant under-reporting of hate-based and racially vilifying incidents in Victoria. It is likely that many, and perhaps even most, antisemitic incidents are not reported to CSG. Consequently, the actual number of antisemitic incidents that occurred in Victoria in 2024 is likely to be significantly higher than that which is documented in this report.”

Zajac said, “The objective of this report is to serve as a record, but also to spur action by governments, law enforcement, community organisations and individuals to ensure Jewish Victorians can live safe and proud lives.

As you go through this report, you will read the word ‘unprecedented’ far too many times. It is factually accurate that 2024 was a year like no other for the Victorian Jewish community”

The report identified five key trends:

• The levels are higher. After the post-October 7 surge in antisemitic incidents, the average number of reported monthly incidents in 2024 was four times higher than in 2022 and early 2023.
• The Gaza conflict is strongly linked to incidents. Since October 7, antisemitic incidents related to Israel-Palestine surged from 8% before October 7 to 58.9% in 2024, dominating the antisemitism trend for the year.
• The political dynamics have changed. Where motivating ideology could be identified, the number of far-right antisemitic acts were at a record high, averaging 9.1 monthly incidents in 2024. But far-left incidents skyrocketed, accounting for 53.4% of incidents, compared to 8% before October 7. Far-right incidents accounted for 19.7% of incidents, compared to 59% before October 7.
• Violence is up. There were 42 antisemitic assaults, up a massive 320% from 2023 and up 950% from 2022. More assaults were recorded in 2024 than over the previous five years combined. There was also big increase in violent attacks on Jewish property, with six incidents of serious property damage, compared to one in 2023 and none in 2022.
• Attacks on Jewish institutions became a focus, with a record 231 incidents in 2024. The JCCV has warned that, “These attacks threaten the religious and cultural fabric of Jewish life in Victoria, strain community tensions, and drain police resources.”

The report noted that 39 incidents targeted Jewish schools and schoolchildren, which was a massive 225% increase from the 12 incidents recorded in 2023, and a 388% increase on the eight incidents reported in 2022.

One piece of good news from Zajac is that, “There are preliminary indications that reports of antisemitism are lower in early 2025. This is a cause for hope for us. But there is still so much more work to be done to educate, to press for adequate law enforcement and to advocate for strong leadership from our allies.

The JCCV will not shy away from this work.

We also encourage and support all those who are seeking to educate against antisemitism and racism. Antisemitism is the canary in the coal mine. If we allow it to continue festering, it will give license to others to discriminate and vilify other groups. This cannot happen.”

If a member of the community comes across antisemitic incidents, it is essential that it is reported to the JCCV or CSG at 1300 000 274 or via JEAP App.

This ensures that the incidents are recorded, the appropriate authorities advised and followed up with, and patterns of incidents tracked. And if police, ambulances or fire brigade are required, contact them first.

The full report at: https://Jccv.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Victorian-Antisemitism-Report-2024.pdf