Israeli leaders demand Australian action
Netanyahu calls attacks 'severe hate crimes', Diaspora minister cites surge in antisemitism since October 7.
Israel’s political leadership has issued unprecedented demands for stronger Australian government action following weekend antisemitic attacks in Melbourne that targeted a synagogue and Israeli restaurant.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the incidents as “severe hate crimes that must be uprooted” and demanded the Australian government “take all action to deal with the rioters to the fullest extent of the law and prevent similar attacks in the future.”
“I view with utmost gravity the antisemitic attacks that occurred last night in Melbourne, which included attempted arson of a synagogue in the city and a violent assault against an Israeli restaurant by pro-Palestinian rioters,” Netanyahu said in a statement.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar posted to social media urging stronger government action, saying “There have been too many antisemitic attacks in Australia. The Australian government must do more to fight this poisonous disease.”
“I strongly condemn last night’s vile antisemitic attacks in Melbourne, including the arson attack on the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation synagogue and the targeted violence at the Israeli restaurant Miznon,” Sa’ar said.
President Isaac Herzog warned that “antisemitism is a stain on any society” while condemning what he described as “the vile arson attack targeting Jews in Melbourne’s historic and oldest synagogue on the Sabbath, and on an Israeli restaurant where people had come to enjoy a meal together.”
“It is intolerable that in 2025 we are still faced with the chilling image of an attempt to burn Jews alive as they pray and attacks on Jewish businesses,” Herzog said, demanding that “Australian authorities must take all steps necessary to protect their Jewish citizens.”
In an unprecedented diplomatic intervention, Israel’s Minister for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Amichai Chikli wrote directly to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, warning that the message that “Jewish safety is negotiable” is “unacceptable.”
Chikli’s letter stated that antisemitic activity in Australia has surged by over 320 per cent since October 7, 2023, with more than 850,000 antisemitic or anti-Israel posts documented online.
The minister criticised recent Australian government decisions to deny entry to former Israeli minister Ayelet Shaked and pro-Israel advocate Hillel Fuld, describing these choices as “discriminatory” and warning they “embolden those who spread hate.”
Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed he had spoken with the Israeli Ambassador, who “rang to thank me” for attending the synagogue and “took it as a signal that the government was taking this very seriously.”