Crossroads25 survey data teaches us what we need to fight antisemitism

The ashes of a burned synagogue form a powerful argument for the heart. Since the arson attack on the Adass Israel in late 2024, Australia’s antisemitism policy has been framed by this inescapable image, seared into our brains and without equivalent in our country’s history.

We have since learned that neither the Adass attack nor the attack on Continental Kitchens in Sydney in October 2024 were a result of homegrown antisemitism.  ASIO has confirmed that the Iranian government paid Australia criminals  to attack these, and possibly other, Jewish targets.

Home-grown antisemitism is, however, responsible for a rash of antisemitic attacks including a shocking 65 cases of physical assault and 29 of vandalism in 2023-24. Jews are fearful and intimidated by actions such as the convoy across Melbourne to a Caulfield synagogue, death threats and doxing of Jewish artists, and the notorious ‘Kill the Jews’ chant at the Sydney Opera House just days after the October 7 massacre.

The Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) recorded 2,062 anti-Jewish incidents in Australia between October 1, 2023 to  September 30, 2024, quadruple the previous year.

In this context, it is essential to understand what Australians think so their  understanding and values can be utilised to fight the antisemitic threat to Australia’s proud tradition of social cohesion, tolerance and multiculturalism.