Canberra, Australia – A surge in anti-Semitic and Islamophobic sentiment is challenging Australia’s long-held reputation for tolerance and multiculturalism, according to recent reports. The increase in prejudice coincides with heightened global tensions stemming from conflicts in the middle East and follows the re-election of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with a ample progressive majority.
Australia,a nation of 26 million people where nearly one-third of the population is foreign-born,has traditionally prided itself on its inclusive society. However, data indicates a growing undercurrent of tension. the Executive Council of Australian Judaism and the Association of Jewish Organizations in the country documented a “mass increase” in anti-Semitic incidents in 2024, totaling 2,062. this figure represents a tripling of incidents compared to those recorded before the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas in southern israel. The annual report tracking these incidents dates back to 1990.
Alongside rising anti-Semitism, Islamophobia has also seen a notable increase.A recent Annual SCANLON Foundation Survey, which has measured social cohesion in Australia since 2008, revealed that 34% of Australian adults express a “somewhat negative” or “very negative” attitude towards their Muslim neighbors. This represents a substantial increase from 27% in 2023, coinciding with the onset of the conflict in Gaza. Anti-Semitic sentiment, as measured by the same survey, rose from 9% in 2023 to 13% in 2024.
The Albanese government,re-elected with a strong progressive mandate,faces the challenge of addressing these rising tensions while upholding Australia’s commitment to multiculturalism. The long-term implications of these trends on Australian society remain to be seen.
