Published: 24 October 2023
Last updated: 5 March 2024
Victoria Police say they will lay charges on anyone who uses the Nazi salute, after new legislation banning the gesture came into effect last week.
As antisemitic attacks increase in the shadow of the Israel-Gaza war, the Australian Government is stepping up funding for Jewish and Islamic community security.
The government will provide $25 million to the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) and $25 million to Australian Palestinian, Muslim and other communities affected by the Hamas attacks on Israel and ongoing conflict.
The government said enhancing safety at Jewish schools and pre-schools was a key objective of this funding decision.
The government also announced:
$12.8 million over four years to protect Australians from terrorist and violent extremist online content, including support for a 24/7 online crisis response and resources for online safety via the eSafety Commissioner
- $6 million for mental health and wellbeing support to students in Jewish and Islamic schools and students of Jewish and Islamic faith in government schools, recognising the impact of the conflict on young people in these communities
- $3 million over two years for targeted mental health and community wellbeing support services to address psychological harm through the Program of Assistance for Survivors of Torture and Trauma and targeted Primary Health Networks
The new funding is in addition to the $50 million for 177 grants under the Securing Faith-Based Places grant program.
Both Jewish and Muslim communities have reported an increase in attacks since the Hamas attack on October 7. The ECAJ said the number of antisemitic attacks went from one the week before the attack to 37 the week after. The Islamophobia Register reported a fourfold increase.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he was horrified by the antisemitic chants at a pro-Palestinian rally at the Sydney Opera House.
Neo-Nazi activity has also increased recently. A former Young Liberal member turned neo-Nazi has been charged after he allegedly damaged a public library in Melbourne’s north with antisemitic graffiti.
Stefan Eracleous was charged with criminal damage after public toilets inside Mill Park Library on Plenty Road were allegedly graffitied with antisemitic slurs on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday last week.
Victoria’s new legislation outlawing the Nazi salute has now passed into law.
Victoria Police is warning action will be taken against anyone who uses the Nazi salute in public, now that the gesture has become illegal. Offenders face a fine up to $23,000 fine and up to 12 months’ imprisonment/
Deputy Commissioner Neil Paterson referred to a rally held one week ago where National Socialist Network members held an antisemitic sign and performed a Nazi salute. "If any member of public, including the National Socialist Network, attend any of those rallies and undertake a Nazi salute then police will be pursuing those individuals to ensure that we enforce the new law … hold them to account, charge them and bring them before a court of law," he said.
READ MORE
Supporting Australian communities affected by Hamas attacks on Israel and ongoing conflict (Attorney-General)
Victoria Police warns action will be taken if people use Nazi salutes (ABC)
Neo-Nazi charged over antisemitic graffiti in Melbourne’s library bathrooms (SMH)
RELATED ANALYSIS
As a Jew, I can despair or look to the lessons of history (Josh Frydenberg, SMH)
Thirteen days ago, my world changed, our world changed, forever. The medieval slaughter of innocents representing the single biggest loss of Jewish life since the Holocaust punctured the aura of invincibility that surrounded the Israeli Defence Force.
Australia can be a model for the world – a safe place for protest and grieving for both Palestinians and Jews (Michael Chaitow, Guardian)
I am a proud, progressive Jew and I refuse to accept that there can be no bridges built between communities.
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Photo: A police camera protects Israeli flags and posters about hostages at Caulfield Park (Deborah Stone)
