There is something rotten festering away in certain parts of Australian society, and its name is antisemitism.
It has always existed and was never confined solely to the dark corners of the community inhabited by ideological and religious fanatics.
So-called ‘polite’ antisemitism has also been an ingrained part of some of the elite sections of our society – our universities, government bureaucracies, the arts and culture sector and certain parts of our media.
Social media has become a veritable sewer of antisemitism, as well as almost every other dark facet of human nature.
Until recently, it was relatively rare for antisemitism to manifest itself in violent behaviour. But since the flag burnings and overtly antisemitic chanting of anti-Israel protesters at the Sydney Opera House on 9 October 2023, for which no-one was ever charged, the genie has been out of the bottle.
As my organisation has documented, there has been an unprecedented explosion in the number and severity of antisemitic incidents.
Synagogues, cars and even a child-care centre have been torched and graffitied. Jewish academics and creatives have been hounded, doxed and ostracised simply for having the temerity to hold different opinions to some of their peers.
Antisemitic incidents an attack on all Australians
Antisemitic incidents an attack on all Australians
Commentary from co-CEO Peter Wertheim originally published in the Daily Telegraph on 21 January 2025.
There is something rotten festering away in certain parts of Australian society, and its name is antisemitism.
It has always existed and was never confined solely to the dark corners of the community inhabited by ideological and religious fanatics.
So-called ‘polite’ antisemitism has also been an ingrained part of some of the elite sections of our society – our universities, government bureaucracies, the arts and culture sector and certain parts of our media.
Social media has become a veritable sewer of antisemitism, as well as almost every other dark facet of human nature.
Until recently, it was relatively rare for antisemitism to manifest itself in violent behaviour. But since the flag burnings and overtly antisemitic chanting of anti-Israel protesters at the Sydney Opera House on 9 October 2023, for which no-one was ever charged, the genie has been out of the bottle.
As my organisation has documented, there has been an unprecedented explosion in the number and severity of antisemitic incidents.
Synagogues, cars and even a child-care centre have been torched and graffitied. Jewish academics and creatives have been hounded, doxed and ostracised simply for having the temerity to hold different opinions to some of their peers.
These are not just attacks on the Jewish community; they are attacks on all Australians, on our way of life, and on our values. The people who do these things hate not only Jews but also our freedoms, our democracy, our traditions of tolerance and mateship and the peace and harmony of our community.
Our governments and police are struggling to cope. What is at stake is the Australia we all know and love, which is under concerted attack by extremist fanatics.
It’s time for the great silent majority of Australians to stop being silent.
Please, email our leaders and demand effective action now.
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