Royal commission hears testimony on rising antisemitism
George Foster, president of the Australian Association of Jewish Holocaust Survivors and Descendants, told the Melbourne hearings of the Australian royal commission into antisemitism and social cohesion that the rise in antisemitism across Australia has 'disturbing parallels' with the social climate of Nazi Germany. Foster, who came to Australia in 1947 after being born in Hungary to Holocaust survivors, emphasized that he does not believe Australia is 'becoming another Germany in the 1930s,' noting that 'Australia’s democratic institutions, legal system and civilian civil society are fundamentally different.' However, he stated, 'I can’t ignore certain disturbing parallels in the social atmosphere.'
Examples of antisemitic incidents cited
Foster listed several parallels: 'the exclusion of Jews from parts of public life, the normalisation of antisemitic language, dehumanising descriptions of Jews, conspiracy theories, the resurgence of antisemitic tropes, attacks on Jewish schools, synagogues and businesses, and fear about displaying Jewish identity publicly.' He was particularly shocked by a protest on the steps of the Sydney Opera House two days after Hamas’s attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023, where chants including 'Where’s the Jews?' and 'Fuck the Jews' were used, as confirmed by New South Wales police based on an independent expert's analysis. Foster described this as something he never thought he would see in Australia.
Impact on Jewish institutions
The royal commission’s fifth block of hearings, held in Melbourne this week, focused on security arrangements for the Jewish community. Community leaders from synagogues and Jewish schools described a rise in antisemitic incidents since October 2023, leading some Jewish Australians to leave for Israel. Foster, also president of the Southern Sydney Synagogue, recounted an arson attack in 1991 during the first Iraq war but noted that the current atmosphere is different due to 'overt vilification.' After swastikas were painted on the synagogue's walls in 2025, a security fence was installed.
Benjamin Klein, president of the Adass Israel synagogue in southeast Melbourne, built by Holocaust survivors, described the 'devastating' impact of an arson attack in December 2024, which the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation alleged was directed by the Iranian government. Klein said the synagogue had applied unsuccessfully for government security grants before the attack and now employs a staff member to manage grant applications. He lamented, 'To have that taken away, and simply for the reason that … you’re Jewish … is quite devastating to say the least.'
Schools face increased security costs
The commission heard that two Melbourne schools, Mount Scopus Memorial College and Bialik College, charge parents security levies in addition to fees, which have increased significantly since October 2023. Dan Sztrajt, principal of Mount Scopus (established in 1949 by Holocaust survivors), reported 131 antisemitic incidents targeting the campus or students since January 2022, including graffiti reading 'Jew die' in May 2024 and an incident at a swimming carnival where a student from another school performed Nazi salutes and yelled 'Hitler' at a year 8 student. Tyson Wodak, president of Bialik College, said the school changed its uniform policy after 7 October 2023 so children no longer wear uniforms on excursions. He stated, 'I don’t want more security funding. I want less need for security.'
Rabbi describes daily threats
Chief Rabbi Levi Wolff of Sydney’s Central Synagogue told the royal commission he receives 'almost daily' threats and abuse since his public profile rose after the Bondi terror attack in late 2025, which killed 15 people during a Hanukah festival. He described receiving a mezuzah (a parchment scroll affixed to Jewish homes) from a community member with a note reading, 'I’m afraid to have this on my door.' Wolff said, 'No one should have to have courage to simply place a symbol of their faith on the doorpost of their very own home.' The commission also heard from other synagogue and school representatives about alleged antisemitic attacks since October 2023, some of which could not be discussed in detail due to ongoing criminal proceedings.
