How a wave of antisemitic attacks roiled Australia and provoked claims of foreign influence
How a wave of antisemitic attacks roiled Australia and provoked claims of foreign influence
A wave of antisemitic attacks has roiled Australia, with a dozen arrests for vandalizing or setting homes, schools, and synagogues on fire since October
Author: Unknown
Published on: 06/02/2025 | 08:12:44
AI Summary:
Australia's federal lawmakers advanced hate crime laws almost unanimously. The attacks in areas where Jewish people live have provoked an outpouring of condemnation. But in a rare moment of unity, federal lawmakers on Thursday advanced laws. Antisemitic episodes in Sydney and Melbourne have drawn the highest profile. Nearly 200 more have been charged since October 2023 in the state of New South Wales. Investigators are examining whether criminals for hire were paid by foreign actors. Days later, officials said the 12 arrested by the taskforce don't share the antisemitic ideology expressed by their crimes. The episodes were “alarming and worthy of attention,” says Sarah Schwartz from the Jewish Council of Australia. The real danger we see here with linking this spate of antisemitic incidents to the Palestine solidarity movement is that that sort of language breeds division, breeds anti-Palestinian racism and is also bad for Jews as well. Amendments from the opposition include the imposition of mandatory prison terms for terrorism offenses — which the prime minister had rejected before — and for displaying hate symbols. Australia’s restrictive gun laws might have led the perpetrators to commit vandalism crimes, Vergani said. Antisemitic attacks have led national news and prompted daily questions for Albanese.
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