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Extremism on the agenda

Jewish groups address inquiry

A number of Jewish groups have addressed the the Legal and Social Issues Committee on the issue of far-right extremism.

By Gareth Narunsky June 16, 2022, 9:45 am Edit
An example of an antisemitic cartoon that emerged during the pandemic.
An example of an antisemitic cartoon that emerged during the pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic increased the incidence of far-right extremism, Jewish groups have told a Victorian government inquiry.

The Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV), Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) and Online Hate Prevention Institute (OHPI) all made submissions to the Legal and Social Issues Committee and gave evidence this week. Executive Council of Australian Jewry research director Julie Nathan also addressed the committee.

In the JCCV’s submission, the state roof body argued for the need to continue anti-racism education programs, for ongoing strong engagement between government, police and the Jewish community, and for the government to continue implementing relevant recommendations from the recent Inquiry into Anti-Vilification Protections.

“The Jewish community continues to record antisemitic incidents perpetrated by a range of actors, some of whom are motivated by far-right or neo-Nazi ideologies. A spike in these types of incidents was recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic,” it said.

A hallmark of the “freedom movement” during the pandemic was comparisons between public health measures and the Holocaust, the JCCV said.

AIJAC noted Victoria Police’s own observation that “online commentary on COVID-19 has provided a recruiting tool for right-wing extremist groups”.

“Extreme right terrorist violence is overwhelmingly emanating from individuals radicalised and inspired by material on the internet and social media,” AIJAC said, urging counter-terrorism authorities “to consider measures to ameliorate the effects of this pipeline for violent extremist beliefs”.

AIJAC recommended the government fully implement its expanded anti-vilification measures – including the Swastika ban – but also warned against “compartmentalising the far right as distinct and separate from other forms of ideological extremism”.

Citing the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation’s adoption of the umbrella terms “religiously motivated violent extremism” and “ideologically motivated violent extremism”, AIJAC said, “It would be dangerous and destructive to neglect and ignore the left-wing and Islamist varieties while seeking to address the undoubted growth of the extreme right threat.”

The OHPI noted that the pandemic left people feeling vulnerable and looking for someone to blame.

“Extremist groups offer a sense of belonging, addressing the isolation, and a scapegoat,” OHPI said.

The charity also noted that “media coverage of individuals who breached social distancing and other public health regulations resulted in the vilification of these individuals’ faith or ethnic communities online.”

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