How many warnings until it’s too late?

Someone is going to get killed.

With the second attempt to burn down a Melbourne synagogue with Jews inside and the assaulting of patrons at an Israeli restaurant on Friday night, Australia now has the unenviable reputation of being a global centre of antisemitism. At the rate attacks are increasing, it won’t be long before there are fatal consequences. And odds are, it will be an Australian Jew who dies at the hands of a racist bigot.

We have been lucky that in the three synagogue arsons (there was an arson attempt on Sydney’s Newtown synagogue earlier this year) and multiple other attacks on Jewish restaurants, businesses, institutions and individuals, so far no one has been seriously hurt. But our luck must run out at some point. And when that dark day dawns, will we hear the same tired, meaningless cliches trotted out by grim faced politicians facing the cameras that we’ve become so drearily familiar with?

“There is no place for antisemitism in Australia.”

“Those responsible must face the full force of the law.”