The Dark Shadow Over Australia’s Synagogues

The recent testimony before the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion by former attorney-general Mark Dreyfus has shed a disturbing light on the state of antisemitic threats in Australia. His personal experience with antisemitism is particularly striking: he was approached by a stranger who hurled abuse at him because he was Jewish, an attack that had never happened to him before.

Dreyfus’ testimony highlights a stark reality: being Jewish in today’s Australia can mean walking past guards just to get to synagogue services. No other religious group has to endure this level of scrutiny. The numbers are staggering – synagogues have been forced to cancel events and services due to security concerns, with some schools citing that students are preoccupied with protecting themselves from abuse.

This is not just a Jewish issue; it’s an Australian one. It raises important questions about our society: what does this say about us? Dreyfus’ call for new protections, including laws similar to those that regulate protests outside abortion clinics, prompts consideration of the limits of free speech and the responsibility of social media platforms in policing hate speech.

Dreyfus also suggests that individuals should have a right to sue these companies for abuse without risking costs – a timely proposal given the vast wealth disparity between social media giants and the eSafety commissioner. But what’s truly disturbing is not just the scale of antisemitism, but its normalization. As Counsel assisting the commission Richard Lancaster pointed out, individuals who wait near synagogue gates to shout abuse at those attending services are symptoms of a larger problem – one that speaks to the erosion of civil discourse and the dehumanizing effects of hate speech.

This hearing is part of a broader conversation about how Australia can better address antisemitism. It’s time for us to take stock of our own complicity in perpetuating these attitudes, acknowledge the disproportionate impact on Jewish communities, and work towards creating a society where everyone feels safe to practice their faith without fear of abuse.

As we move forward, it’s essential that we tackle the root causes rather than just focusing on the symptoms. We need an honest conversation about what this says about us as a nation and how we can collectively work towards creating a more inclusive, tolerant society. The stakes are high; the consequences of inaction will be dire.

We can’t afford to stand idly by while our communities suffer under the weight of hate speech and intimidation. It’s time for us to act – not just as individuals, but as a collective – to ensure that Australia becomes a place where everyone feels safe, respected, and valued.