First steps towards a national strategy to combat antisemitism

Australians will be surveyed on their beliefs about Jews in an effort to understand whether the recent spike in antisemitism is reflected in the attitudes of the majority.

The survey will be one of the first actions of Australia’s inaugural Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism Jillian Segal, and the results will provide data for a national strategy to fight increasing antisemitism.

“Everyone has said to me, the vast majority, the silent majority actually don't agree with what's going on. They are horrified. They don't support these demonstrations. Don't support what is being said. Well, I'd like some data on that,” Segal said.

Segal outlined her plans at her first public meeting in her new role, held last night in Melbourne. Although she is based in Sydney, she chose Melbourne for her first event, acknowledging that Victorians have faced the most antisemitism in the past year, with more than 800 incidents including threatening graffiti at Mount Scopus, a demonstration targeted at synagogue-goers, and denial of service at Officeworks.

Universities will be a key prong in her strategy. “I’ve been really surprised by the number of students and academics who have come forward and said ‘I'd like to tell you of my experience’. We've now collected over 50 stories, and they tell very, very troubling stories of difficulty, of lives that have been affected, of students that no longer want to go to campus, no longer want to be in university, or students who have been encouraged to stay away from campus.”