Poll reveals that less a quarter of Australians have a positive attitude to Jews
A new survey commissioned by the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) has exposed deeply troubling attitudes and experiences, fuelling urgent calls for national and local action.
Conducted between June 27 and July 1, the nationwide poll of 1,000 respondents revealed that just 24% of Australians view public sentiment toward Jewish people as positive, with only 9% describing it as “very positive” and 15% as “slightly positive.” In contrast, 28% reported negative attitudes, including 8% who cited “very negative” perceptions and 20% who identified “slightly negative” ones.
The results underscore a broader climate of concern, particularly among younger Australians. One in five respondents aged 18–34 said they had witnessed or heard of anti-Semitic incidents in their local area — a figure that rises to nearly one in four in New South Wales. Among those aged 35 to 54, one in five also reported similar experiences.
The poll comes amid a spate of disturbing incidents, including an arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue while around 20 congregants were inside — an act described by some community leaders as an attempted mass murder. In a separate incident in Melbourne, violent protests erupted outside a restaurant owned by Israeli celebrity chef Eyal Shani. Demonstrators smashed windows, hurled chairs, and chanted “Death to the IDF!”, further intensifying community fears.
CAM CEO Sacha Roytman Dratwa warned the findings indicate a crisis. “Australia used to be a safe haven for Jews — that image has been shattered over the past two years,” he said. “This wave of hate shocked many national and local authorities. We are working with partners across Australia to equip communities with strategies and tools to respond.”
Nearly half of respondents (49%) said they expect elected officials, mayors, and community leaders to take a stronger stance against hate and religious intolerance. Encouragingly, 43% said they would be more likely to vote for candidates who act to combat religiously motivated hate.
In response, CAM has announced an Australia Emergency Summit, to be held on the Gold Coast from September 3–5. The summit will bring together hundreds of stakeholders — including mayors, councillors, government officials, religious figures, educators, cultural figures, and diplomats — to formulate a national action plan against antisemitism.
“We are confident that leaders across Australia will rise to the occasion and commit to a firm ‘zero tolerance’ stance,” said Roytman Dratwa. “We believe this summit can be a turning point in forming a united front against antisemitism and restoring Australia as a safe and inclusive home for all.”
The Australian gathering follows similar CAM-led initiatives in North America, Latin America, and Europe, focused on empowering mayors and local leaders to respond swiftly and effectively to antisemitism on the ground.
Founded as a global coalition, CAM brings together over 950 partner organisations and five million individuals from across religious and political spectrums in the fight against Jew-hatred and bigotry.
