EDITOR: Australian politicians are to blame for rising anti-Semitism, but have the courage to be shocked

When asked about their reaction to the spate of anti-Semitic vandalism that occurred overnight under the cover of darkness in Sydney, Australian politicians lined up to say how shocked they were that such a thing could happen in our country.

Anthony Albanese said the scenes were disturbing and “deeply disturbing”.

“There is no place for anti-Semitism in Australia. Conflict abroad cannot become a platform for prejudice at home,” he said on Thursday morning.

Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said the attack in Woollahra, one of Australia’s most Jewish suburbs, was “absolutely disgusting”.

“I’m so shocked and disappointed that people think this is an adequate response to what’s happening in the Middle East,” she said.

Australia’s Jewish community shares Ms Plibersek’s disgust, but not her shock.

Once upon a time, such actions would have been an aberration in multicultural Australia. Not anymore.

They have become almost expected as anti-Semitism takes root in our society while our leaders do nothing to stop its spread.

It is estimated that the number of anti-Semitic incidents has increased by almost 500 percent in the year since the Hamas massacre of Jewish people in Israel on October 7.

These include cases of violence, intimidation, vandalism, verbal abuse and death threats. There have been cases of “doxxing” where the names and addresses of Australian Jews have been published online.

These are incidents that occurred in public and private, on the streets and online, on sports fields, in workplaces, in schools and universities.

In this latest attack, vandals caused about $70,000 in damage when they set one car on fire and spray-painted several others with slogans including “fuck Israel.” A further $30,000 of damage was caused to buildings, including chef Matt Moran’s Chiswick restaurant.

Australian Jewish Association CEO Robert Gregory was one of those unsurprised by this devastating act of hate.

Mr Gregory said anti-Semites had been emboldened by the weakness of our leaders, who were trying to play both sides of the fence as fighting in the Middle East intensified.

“Labor watched as an increasingly violent anti-Israel movement took over the streets of Australia. The Jewish community has begged the authorities to take this seriously,” Mr. Gregory said.

Our politicians say they are shocked by the rise in anti-Semitism, but they are not. They are partly to blame.

Anti-Semitic slogans were uttered in parliament by elected representatives. Australia has humiliated and belittled Israel, making obscene calls for the Jewish state to show “restraint” even when under attack by enemies who will not stop until it is wiped off the face of the earth. They are slow to affirm Israel’s absolute right to defend itself and its citizens.

And then they have the courage to be “shocked” that anti-Semitism is coming home to take root.

Editor-in-chief Christopher Dore assumes responsibility for editorial commentary.