Antisemitism: a crisis we cannot ignore

The huge jump in antisemitism since the atrocities of October 7, 2023, is a crisis we cannot ignore. Yet, despite the disturbing increase in threats, vandalism, public intimidation and worse, too many people still hesitate to call it out.

Clearly, Jewish people in Australia – including in Goldstein – are threatened by and justifiably fearful of the rise of antisemitism.

We know that Jewish parents are removing school badges from their children’s uniforms to avoid being targeted. Synagogues and Jewish businesses require heightened security just to operate safely. Community members hesitate to walk home after synagogue, worried that simply being visibly Jewish makes them a target.

This is not an abstract debate about free speech or political correctness. This is about members of our community living in fear. And that should concern every one of us, regardless of our background or political beliefs.

We’ve all heard statements condemning antisemitism. We’ve seen the tweets, the press releases, the performative outrage from politicians eager to capitalise on what they see as a political opportunity.

I do not think that is appropriate and I will not grandstand on this. What’s needed is outcomes.

This is why I have:

• Pushed for a judicial inquiry into antisemitism on university campuses.
• Advocated for the appointment of Australia’s first antisemitism envoy, now in place.
•  Led the drive to ban doxxing and fought for Jewish creatives to be protected from discrimination, now legislated.
• Secured fast-tracked security grants for local synagogues and schools, now received.
• Pushed for a joint security task force to protect synagogues, schools and community hubs.
•  Called for increased funding for CCTV, lighting and security infrastructure.
• Worked on strengthening federal hate crime laws, now legislated.
• Championed education programs to fight ignorance and tackle antisemitism at its roots.
• Pressured social media platforms to take real accountability for the spread of hate online.
• Supported interfaith engagement to rebuild social cohesion and understanding and run a Courage to Care workshop for community leaders with influence.

I have acted with sincerity on these things on behalf of our local community while I also have deep concerns about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the situation in the West Bank.

I strongly believe that recognising the fear and insecurity facing one community should not diminish the struggles of others.

I continue to actively press the Australian government to ensure that humanitarian aid is delivered to the people of Gaza, to play a role in supporting recovery, to use our role as an ally of Israel to press for adherence to international law and the rules of war and for a two-state solution, complex as that is.

The ongoing safety and security of the people of Israel and Palestine are intertwined. I believe this is an unavoidable fact.

You may disagree. Whether you do, or you don’t, it does not change the fact that I will continue to fight, act and work for your safety and security here at home.

This should not be about left or right, nor whether you support an independent MP or a major political party. It’s about whether you believe that no Australian should feel unsafe because of their religion or culture.

This must be an uncontested multi-partisan position, not a mechanism for political argument and inflammatory self-serving rhetoric by any side.

A society that tolerates antisemitism is a society that is growing comfortable with hate. And when hate is normalised, it doesn’t stay contained to one group – it spreads.

To prevent that requires action, and reason, for Jewish Australians, for all Australians.

Zoe Daniel is the federal Member for Goldstein.

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