We have never before experienced this level of antisemitism in Australia

After we celebrated Simchat Torah in Australia we woke up to the news that 1251 Israeli citizens and other foreign nationals had been tortured & murdered by Hamas. Some of the survivors were kidnapped and taken as hostages to Gaza on October 7. In Australia on October 9 we witnessed Muslims in Sydney celebrating Hamas’s actions and proclaiming chants critical of Jews. The events of October 7 & 9 were truly abhorrent and contributed to an increasing level of anti semitism in both Australia and the rest of the world. In Australia prior to October 7 we had never really experienced the levels of anti semitism that now permeate through society. This is most clearly apparent at our universities including the University of Sydney where Jewish students are deeply concerned for both their wellbeing & safety. In the wider community we have witnessed many instances of discrimination against people solely based on the fact they are Jewish. There doesn’t appear to be a desire from the government to take this issue seriously which makes members of the Jewish community even more apprehensive about their future in Australia. Governments must put party political considerations aside in favour of a bipartisan commitment to combat racism in all forms which includes anti semitism.