How to fight Anti-Semitism?

How to fight anti-Semitism?

The recent firebombing of the Addas Synagogue in Melbourne has again highlighted the dramatic rise in antisemitism following Hamas' massacre of Oct 7 '23. 

While many suggestions have been made, Australia's Labor Government seems paralyzed. Albanese's comment when confronted by this question was to simply note that 'antisemitism has been around for a long time." 

Mmm? Really! Yes, antisemitism has been around for a long time, but nowhere near the level experienced recently in Australia. Yes, there have been incidents in the past but whenever was there a firebombing of a synagogue, preceded by burning and painting antisemitic slogans on cars and buildings. No, the current spate of antisemitic acts is an escalation from almost weekly hateful demonstrations with wild crowds screaming anti-Israel anti-Jewish genocidal slogans. 

So what could the government do to redress the damage that has been done and rebuild social cohesion?

A good start would be a clear and specific statement of policy. It should avoid generalizations and certainly not mention Islamophobia

How about something like this?

"Antisemitism is unacceptable in our society and we will act decisively to prevent it. We will investigate any incident and use our existing hate speech laws to charge those found to be responsible. If our existing hate laws are found inadequate, we will strengthen the laws to ensure antisemitic hate speech is prohibited. 

If a person found guilty of hate speech is NOT an Australian citizen they will be deported.

 

The recent Pro-Palestinian demonstrations have gone beyond the normal standards a free society accepts as the right of all citizens. They have interfered with citizens' free use of roads and footpaths. Demonstrators have gone out of their way to hold demonstrations in suburbs with large Jewish populations or in front of Synagogues. They carry abusive anti-Jewish racist signs with outlawed symbols such as the swastika. They intimidate and verbally abuse people going about their business in their suburbs or in front of their synagogues. Demonstrations chant antisemitic genocidal slogans and intimidate and verbally abuse the local citizens. This behaviour is not acceptable in a truly multicultural society which respects the rights of all individuals.

 

As a result, we are introducing new standards for all demonstrations. All demonstrations must have a permit identifying the place and time where it is to take place and the expected number of attendees. Organisers must commit to ensuring all presenters will obey hate speech laws.

Any demonstration which has not been authorized will be disbanded by the police. Anti-Israel demonstrations will NOT be authorized in Jewish-dominated areas, or in proximity of a synagogue. Demonstrations will only be permitted in public parks, not in streets where they interfere with the daily life of citizens.

We will not accept the hate in our streets and will not allow our roads to be ruled by a racist mob.

We respect the right of citizens to protest and will always allow people to meet and demonstrate peacefully. However, this precludes intimidation, vilification or hate speech of any kind, and of course physical or verbal assault, of the types seen in many recent pro-Palestinian demonstrations.

I have focused these rules on antisemitism as that is the most significant problem in our society today.

We will of course apply similar rules to prevent abuse of any other minority group. We are committed to ensuring all people are treated with respect."

This is of course just a start. It has to be followed up by action. The police must do their job to enforce these decisions. The judiciary must enforce existing laws, and where they are found wanting the government must modify the laws to ensure social cohesion is not eroded by small groups of hate-mongers.

What do you think?