Jewish community leaders welcome Hizb ut-Tahrir ban
Tony Burke
The federal government has banned the Islamist organisation Hizb ut-Tahrir, making membership and support for the group a criminal offence under new hate group laws introduced earlier this year.
The decision, approved by Governor-General Sam Mostyn, took effect on Friday and marks the first time the government has used the new legislative framework to outlaw an organisation accused of promoting hatred and extremism.
Peter Wertheim, Co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ), praised the legislation’s rapid impact, stating: “The Combating Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Act 2026 has proved its worth far more quickly than anyone expected, and the government and the Liberals are to be commended for voting together to get the Act passed. For once we have anti-hate legislation that is not merely an exercise in symbolism but has real teeth.”
He highlighted the group’s long-standing incitement, noting: “On several occasions since 2014, the principal figures of Hizb ut-Tahrir in Australia have brazenly whipped up crowds of their followers with blood-curdling cries of hatred and violence directed not only against Jews but also against moderate Muslims.”
Wertheim further emphasised the broader threat: “Their hatred extends to Australia too, as they seek to impose a theocratic dictatorship upon the Australian people, by force if necessary. Proscribing Hizb ut-Tahrir is essential to preserve the peace and harmony of our society, and to demonstrate our nation’s determination to defend our free and democratic way of life at a time when it is under unprecedented attack.”
The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) welcomed the decision to list Hizb ut-Tahrir as a prohibited hate group under the new legislation introduced following the Bondi terror attack. AIJAC has long called for Hizb ut-Tahrir to be formally proscribed, given its well-documented record of extreme Islamist ideology, antisemitic incitement and hostility to Australia’s democratic values.
AIJAC described the designation as an important and necessary step in confronting the spread of extremist ideology that threatens social cohesion, public safety and the fundamental values of Australian society. Under the listing, individuals who are members of Hizb ut-Tahrir, recruit for it, or provide training, funding or material support to the organisation will now be in breach of the law.
By formally designating Hizb ut-Tahrir as a prohibited hate group, authorities are sending a clear message that organisations which promote intolerance, division and extremism have no place in Australia.
AIJAC commended the government and law enforcement authorities for taking this important step and urged continued vigilance to ensure that extremist groups and those who support them are held fully accountable under the law.
Dr Colin Rubenstein, Executive Director of AIJAC, has previously welcomed related hate crimes legislation, noting its value in outlawing hate groups such as Hizb ut-Tahrir and neo-Nazis, alongside stronger action against hate preachers and reforms to immigration laws for those spreading extremism. He described these measures as important steps in combating the surge of antisemitism seen in recent years.
Jeremy Leibler, president of the Zionist Federation of Australia, has called for effective mechanisms to ban extremist organisations. He previously stressed the need for both the government and opposition to unite in ensuring legislation enables the proscription of groups like Hizb ut-Tahrir, which has for years praised acts of terrorism and sought to normalise extreme forms of Jew hatred.
Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, has warned about the impact of extremist rhetoric targeting Jewish Australians and emphasised that the rise in antisemitic activity requires firm action from governments and security agencies to protect social cohesion.
The federal government has banned the Islamist organisation Hizb ut-Tahrir, making membership and support for the group a criminal offence under new hate group laws introduced earlier this year.
The decision, approved by Governor-General Sam Mostyn, took effect on Friday and marks the first time the government has used the new legislative framework to outlaw an organisation accused of promoting hatred and extremism.
Under the laws, people who recruit members, provide funding or otherwise assist Hizb ut-Tahrir could face prison sentences of up to 15 years. Simply belonging to the group can carry penalties of up to seven years.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the decision followed advice from the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation that the group met the legal threshold to be listed under the new regime.
Hizb ut-Tahrir was founded in Jerusalem in 1953 and operates internationally. The movement advocates the creation of a global Islamic caliphate governed by Islamic law. While it has operated in Australia for years, it had not previously been banned because authorities concluded it did not meet the criteria required for terrorist designation.
The new hate group legislation allows the government to outlaw organisations that promote hatred or extremist ideology even if they are not formally classified as terrorist groups.
Australia now joins several countries that have already banned Hizb ut-Tahrir, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Indonesia and Egypt.
Jewish organisations had supported the introduction of the hate group laws earlier this year, arguing that they provided a mechanism to address extremist movements that operate openly while spreading hatred toward minorities.
Hizb ut-Tahrir has rejected claims that it promotes violence and has indicated it may challenge the ban in the High Court, arguing the legislation restricts political expression.
The government maintains the laws are necessary to respond to extremist ideology and to protect Australian communities from groups that incite hatred or undermine social stability.
