Turning the tide on antisemitism

One of the most difficult things to do during a crisis is to step back and zoom out as daily challenges pile up.

In 2024, objectively the worst year in recorded history for antisemitism here in Victoria, it seemed that week after week we were hearing terrible news.

Violent counter-protesters at a rally organised to stamp out antisemitism, anti-Israel protests so vile Jewish students felt unsafe attending university, murderous graffiti on the wall of a Jewish school, terrorist symbols drawn on shops owned by Jews, flags of terrorist groups proudly waved in the Melbourne CBD, Jewish boys assaulted at a train station and then, if that wasn’t enough, a synagogue burnt to the ground.

Immersed in this confronting situation, it was nearly impossible to zoom out from the day-to-day distress in order to identify patterns and work out just what was going on.

But with the launch of the 2024 Victorian Antisemitism Report, the JCCV and CSG have done just this. Zak Moss, the report’s author, has taken reports of antisemitism that were carefully collected and verified by CSG, and picked them apart to identify trends that might help us to plot a way forward.

In the report, the JCCV and CSG identify five clear trends.

1. A high plateau

Antisemitic incidents in Victoria spiked after October 7, 2023, and have remained at an elevated level. Monthly incidents in 2024 were four times higher than in previous years, indicating that once hostility rises, it does not easily subside.

2. Evolving antisemitism

Antisemitism continues to adapt to social and political contexts. Before October 7, 2023 Israel-Palestine-related incidents made up just 8 per cent of reports – by 2024 that number had surged to 59 per cent. With a 1377 per cent increase in incidents referencing Israel, Zionism or Palestine, anti-Jewish hate in Victoria is now predominantly framed through geopolitical discourse.

3. An ideological shift in antisemitism

Since October 7, 2023, antisemitic incidents linked to far-left rhetoric now far outnumber those linked to far-right rhetoric. In 2024, 53.4 per cent of cases were linked to the far-left, compared to 19.7 per cent from the far-right – a reversal from previous years. However, while far-right antisemitism now represents a smaller share, its absolute numbers have reached record highs, averaging 9.1 incidents per month, up from 7.1 in early 2023.

4. More dangerous, more destructive

Antisemitism in Victoria is more violent than ever before. In 2024, there were 42 antisemitic assaults recorded – a 320 per cent increase from 2023 and a 950 per cent rise from 2022. Assaults saw the largest year-on-year surge, more than doubling the total recorded in the previous five years combined. Jewish property has also been subjected to escalating attacks. Six incidents of serious damage were reported, including the terrorist attack on Adass Israel Synagogue – compared to just one in 2023 and none in 2022.

5. Breakdown of social cohesion

Jewish institutions are increasingly being targetted, threatening the religious and cultural fabric of Jewish life. In 2024, Jewish premises were attacked a record 231 times, reflecting a disturbing shift where institutions and events are seen as legitimate targets. These attacks endanger social cohesion and multiculturalism, placing strain on police resources and deepening community tensions.

With a better understanding of key trends, not just a focus on number of incidents or eye-catching headlines about percentage increases, Jewish leaders can craft strategies and harness allies to address these issues.

So what happens next?

The JCCV is currently refining our case management model to triage and assist Jewish Victorians impacted by antisemitism. The idea will be to direct community members to the many services already provided by Jewish community organisations. Using this model, we will swiftly direct individuals who have experienced or witnessed antisemitism to help or redress.

We have found community members need help drafting letters of complaint about antisemitism, raising issues in the workplace, contacting professional bodies, escalating concerns through government departments or finding appropriate legal or wellbeing services.

At the same time, we are building on an existing initiative to strengthen people’s connections within their own Jewish community, via volunteering. This will strengthen belonging and resilience.

And of course, we are continuing our unrelenting advocacy on behalf of the Jewish community with the State Government, Victoria Police, local councils and multicultural and human rights organisations.

All of these institutions play a key role in turning the tide against antisemitism.

We continue to call on them to show leadership, ensure legal settings are adequate and the law is enforced in a timely manner, build harmony at a neighbourhood level and refuse to platform those in our community who seek to divide.

We are sharing the findings of this report with you – and with them – in the hope that together, we can create a vibrant and resilient Victorian Jewish community and turn the tide on antisemitism.

Naomi Levin is the CEO of the Jewish Community Council of Victoria.

The Victorian Antisemitism Report 2024 in available at www.jccv.org.au