Dutton: antisemitism ‘a national disgrace’
“Antisemitism is not just a threat to the Jewish community – it is a stain on the values we hold as a nation,” Peter Dutton said exclusively to The AJN.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton has called the Executive Council of Australian Jewry’s (ECAJ’s) just released antisemitism report a sobering wake-up call for all Australians.
The report has revealed a shocking 316 per cent increase in anti-Jewish incidents across Australia. It documents 2062 incidents between October 2023 and September 2024 – a dramatic rise from 495 incidents in the previous year.
“Antisemitism is not just a threat to the Jewish community – it is a stain on the values we hold as a nation,” Dutton said exclusively to The AJN.
Dutton described the increase in antisemitic incidents over the past year as a national shame and a national disgrace. “Under the Albanese government’s watch, antisemitism has spiralled out of control. Their failure to act decisively has allowed hatred to fester and spread, leaving the Jewish community exposed to this wave of hostility,” he said.
The Opposition Leader said the Coalition under his leadership stands resolutely with the Jewish community.
“This is not just a Jewish issue – it is a national crisis, and it demands urgent action. Enough is enough.”
The report, compiled by ECAJ research director Julie Nathan, highlights how the Hamas massacre on October 7, 2023 became a turning point, seemingly emboldening antisemitic groups to intensify their attacks against Jewish Australians.
The report categorises incidents into six key areas: assault, vandalism, abuse, messages, graffiti and posters.
These ranged from physical attacks to targeted harassment, including convoys driving through Jewish-populated suburbs with Palestinian flags, targeted graffiti on Jewish-owned businesses, death threats against individuals and community organisations, and the doxxing of 600 Jewish creatives, leading to job losses and forced relocations.
The incidents involved diverse perpetrator groups, including anti-Israel activists from Arab, Muslim and left-wing “progressive” backgrounds, as well as right-wing antisemites and neo-Nazis.
Crucially, the ECAJ emphasises that many incidents likely go unreported, meaning the actual number could be significantly higher.
Nathan said, “If anything, the raw numbers understate the seriousness of the surge in antisemitism that has occurred. There have been many new forms and expressions of anti-Jewish racism that would once have been considered alien to Australia, but which have become commonplace.”
She said there has never been anything like an annual increase of this magnitude.
Nathan said, “If it was thought that anti-Jewish racism was a thing of the past and defeated, the last 12 months has shown that it has been cynically reactivated and stoked for political purposes.”
Independent MP for Wentworth, Allegra Spender described the report as “heartbreaking”.
“The past 12 months have been some of the most difficult for my community who are facing unacceptable discrimination they never thought possible here,” she said.
Spender has called for the law to be strengthened and enforced, “but most importantly, stand up and clearly say enough is enough – antisemitism, and frankly any sort of racial or religious vilification, is not Australian and not welcome here”.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told The AJN, “The intimidation of Jewish Australians, violence and destruction of property we have seen over the past year has been shocking. It’s clear these actions are aimed at creating fear in the community and they will not be tolerated.
“There is no place for antisemitism in Australia.”
The Prime Minister said, “I unequivocally condemn any and all antisemitic words and behaviour. I want Jewish Australians to feel safe and secure in our modern multicultural nation.”
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