Confronting the Flames of Antisemitism Before They Consume Us All
Such hatred is all too familiar, it has been around for centuries.
Just a little over a month ago, as the world observed the anniversary of the infamous November Pogrom of 1938 known as “Kristallnacht”, I visited Melbourne and Sydney for the first time since assuming the Chairmanship of Yad Vashem in August 2021. During this inaugural visit, I met with Australian leaders—Premiers of Victoria and New South Wales, university heads, and Jewish community members. Together, we engaged in meaningful discussions about the perils of antisemitism and the urgent need to counter it before it festers into something far more dangerous. Today, those conversations feel more urgent than ever as we grapple with the devastating aftermath of the fire at the Adass Israel Synagogue, a beacon in the heart of Melbourne’s Jewish community.
Though the investigation into this heinous act is ongoing, the specter of antisemitism looms large. Such hatred is all too familiar, it has been around for centuries. History teaches us repeatedly that failing to confront antisemitism at its inception allows it to grow into a monstrous, uncontrollable force. As Chairman of Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, I see this dark trajectory vividly reflected in the testimonies of Holocaust survivors and on the pages of archival documents from the Holocaust—the ultimate manifestation of unbridled antisemitism.
This incident is a wake-up call—not just for the Jewish community but for all Australians, and indeed, for all of humanity. It demands decisive action to safeguard the universal values of tolerance, mutual respect, and justice.
The Dangerous Silence of Inaction
When I met with the Premiers of Victoria and New South Wales, I delivered a stark warning: inaction is not an option. Antisemitism thrives in silence. It begins with slurs, graffiti, and minor acts of vandalism, but when left unchallenged, can escalate to violence, arson, and, as history has shown us, even genocide. The attack on Adass Israel, almost a month to the day after the 86th commemoration of the November Pogrom of 1938, which saw the burning of hundreds of Synagogues across Germany and Austria, cannot be viewed as an isolated incident. It is part of an alarming trend, we see around the world, fueled by social media, political polarization, and willful ignorance.
During my visit, I was struck by the resilience and determination of Australia’s Jewish community. Yet, resilience alone cannot stem the tide of hatred. Words of condemnation by governments, educators, religious leaders, and all citizens are important, but without concrete actions, they are hollow and insufficient to create lasting change.
This wave of antisemitism differs from previous forms that were often state-sponsored. Today, it thrives most prominently in educational institutions, particularly among so-called academics who propagate antisemitic ideologies under the guise of intellectual discourse. Universities meant to be bastions of enlightenment and progress, have become breeding grounds for hateful rhetoric and propaganda. While some governments have attempted to address this phenomenon, law enforcement, and institutional policies have largely failed to contain it effectively. Even in cases in which some action is taken, those are usually administrative steps. They cannot substitute much needed moral leadership.
Lessons from the Past: A Call to Action
The Holocaust did not begin with gas chambers. It began with words—insidious propaganda, dehumanizing rhetoric, and the passive complicity of those who turned a blind eye. The world’s failure to confront early manifestations of antisemitism allowed it to metastasize into one of humanity’s greatest tragedies.
As the world prepares to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau this coming January, I issue a renewed call to action. Auschwitz is not merely a site of memory—it is a warning. We cannot afford to ignore the lessons of history. To world leaders, including those I met in Australia, I say this: now is the time to act. Protecting Jewish communities from antisemitism is not just about safeguarding one group; it is about upholding the principles of equality, justice, and humanity.
To Australia’s Jewish community, I extend my unwavering solidarity. You are not alone in this struggle. Your resilience is inspiring, but you deserve more than admiration. You deserve a society where you can live, worship, and thrive without fear. An antisemitic act, even if occurs thousands of kilometers from the shores of Israel –affects us all.
To world leaders that I’ve met at Yad Vashem or around the world; I urge you to see this incident as a catalyst for change. Strengthen protections for Jewish communities, enhance educational efforts to combat hatred, and ensure that those who perpetuate antisemitism are held accountable.
The fire at Adass Israel is a reminder of the cost of complacency. Let us ensure that it is remembered not as a symbol of destruction but as a turning point in the fight against antisemitism in Australia and beyond.
Together, we can extinguish the flames of hatred before they consume us all.
Dani Dayan is the Chairman of Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center in Jerusalem.
comments