Unique challenges of antisemitism in Australia amid global surge
Daniel Aghion, President of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ), has just returned from representing Australia at the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) “Never Is Now” summit in New York, the world’s largest gathering on antisemitism and hate.
As a panellist in the session titled “What We Can Learn from the Fight Against Antisemitism Around the World,” Aghion joined Jewish leaders from the UK, South Africa, and Canada to discuss the alarming rise in antisemitism since the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel.
The discussion revealed both shared trends and stark differences in how antisemitism manifests across countries. While Jewish communities worldwide have faced hostility, intimidation, and government indifference, Australia has stood out for an unexpected and deeply troubling reason: the sheer level of violent antisemitic attacks.
In her opening remarks, ADL Vice President for International Policy, Susan Heller Pinto, underscored the gravity of the situation. She noted that over the past 17 months, Jewish communities worldwide have experienced levels of antisemitism that few have encountered in their lifetime. While there are commonalities in these trends, she emphasized that each country faces unique challenges, with some contending with high levels of violent antisemitic incidents and others dealing with a lack of government support, or even government hostility. The key, she said, is learning from each other’s experiences, understanding what has been effective in fighting antisemitism, and recognizing which strategies have fallen short.
Phil Rosenberg, Director of Public Affairs at the Board of Deputies of British Jews, described how antisemitism in the UK has deeply permeated multiple areas of society, including workplaces, cultural institutions, and university campuses. While law enforcement has improved its response in some areas, he pointed out that Jewish employees in healthcare, media, and the arts have increasingly felt isolated and targeted.
ECAJ’s Daniel Aghion speaks at the ADL’s “Never Is Now” conference
Richard Marceau of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) in Canada reported a staggering rise in antisemitic incidents, with Jewish businesses, hospitals, and labour unions becoming major flashpoints. He warned that the emergence of anti-Palestinian racism narratives is being used to delegitimize Jewish voices and sever Jewish identity from Israel.
Wendy Kahn, National Director of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies, detailed the troubling reality in South Africa, where the government has not only failed to protect its Jewish citizens but has actively aligned itself with Hamas.
She described how, just days after the October 7 attack, South African officials refused to condemn Hamas or even acknowledge the South Africans who were killed in the massacre. She recalled the moment the government welcomed Hamas representatives into the country, giving them a hero’s reception in Cape Town and Johannesburg. She also spoke about the aggressive targeting of Jewish businesses and how the ruling African National Congress (ANC) attempted to use anti-Israel rhetoric to win over Muslim voters in the country’s recent election; an effort that ultimately failed when the ANC suffered significant political losses.
While all speakers described serious challenges, Aghion’s account of Australia’s sudden escalation in antisemitic violence shocked the panel. He explained that the Jewish community had expected an increase in hostility after October 7, as seen in previous conflicts involving Israel, but they had not anticipated the violent nature of this wave of antisemitism. He cited the case of two nurses at a Western Sydney hospital who posted online about how many Israeli patients they had allegedly killed under their care, an incident that is now under police investigation.
He also detailed a series of firebombing attacks that have rocked the Australian Jewish community, with ten separate incidents occurring in just eight months. Six of those attacks took place in December and January alone. The Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne was completely destroyed in what appeared to be a targeted arson attack, chosen precisely because it had weaker security than other synagogues in the area. In Sydney, Jewish leaders have been personally targeted, with cars set on fire outside the former home of ECAJ’s ex-CEO Alex Ryvchin. Antisemitic graffiti was scrawled on the walls, and Aghion suspects the attackers mistook the house for Ryvchin’s current residence.
Unlike in South Africa, where the government has been openly hostile toward the Jewish community, Australia’s leaders have taken steps to address antisemitism, but Aghion criticized their slow response. While the government has increased counterterrorism funding, deployed more police resources, and appointed Jillian Segal as Australia’s first Special Envoy for Combating Antisemitism, he stressed that these efforts remain reactive rather than proactive. He expressed frustration that while authorities are responding to attacks, they are not getting ahead of the problem.
As Australia heads into a federal election in coming months, antisemitism is set to become a contentious issue. The opposition has heavily criticized the government’s handling of the crisis, and Aghion fears that both major parties will use Jewish concerns as a political tool rather than addressing them in a meaningful way. He warned that with the Jewish community making up just half of one percent of Australia’s population, it cannot afford to become a political football in the upcoming campaign.
Despite the grim situation, Aghion highlighted two key sources of hope. He pointed to the unprecedented unity within the Australian Jewish community, with many previously unaffiliated Jews stepping forward to take action. New grassroots organizations have emerged, and established institutions have seen a surge in engagement. He also noted the strong support from the Hindu community, which has condemned antisemitic violence and pledged to stand in solidarity with Australian Jews. He described their reaction as one of outrage and unwavering commitment, saying they have vowed to take political action to support Jewish Australians.
The panel concluded with a shared message of resilience and defiance. Kahn declared that South African Jews would not shrink in the face of intimidation and would continue wearing their Jewish symbols proudly. Rosenberg reminded the audience that the Jewish people have endured centuries of persecution and emerged stronger each time. Aghion echoed this sentiment, affirming that the Jewish community in Australia would not allow violence to drive them into fear and silence.
As Jewish leaders around the world grapple with rising antisemitism, their message was clear: they will fight back, they will stand together, and they will not be intimidated.
