Antisemitism report confronts sinister threat but punitive solutions risk backfiring

The explosion of hate speech and violence against Jewish institutions, people and property in Australia, and around the world, since 7 October 2023, is widespread, spanning cities and states, public and private discourse. It is ongoing and it is a shocking thing for all Australians to contemplate. There has been fear on the streets of Sydney and Melbourne and many Jews have turned inward, perceiving the wider community as a source of danger and hostility.

The government’s creation of a Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism a year ago was welcomed by the Jewish community as a nationally co-ordinated response to the crisis. Jillian Segal’s report released last week reflects the huge amount of work and consultation she has undertaken to provide that response.