ADL chief warns Australia of rising antisemitism as royal commission reconvenes

Jonathan Greenblatt, head of the Anti-Defamation League, traveled to Australia this week, where he and Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief Alex Ryvchin visited the Bondi Beach memorial for the recent Hanukkah massacre. Greenblatt warned that antisemitism in Australia has surged 270% since 2021, the highest rise recorded by a J7 taskforce report covering several western nations. He cited a series of attacks, including a synagogue fire-bombing in Melbourne and repeated vandalism of Jewish homes and businesses.

The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion resumed its seventh block of hearings in Sydney, focusing on the role of protests, hateful rhetoric, and police handling of demonstrations. Greenblatt stressed that rhetoric can quickly turn violent and called on Australian authorities to produce concrete recommendations and actions, noting that the world is watching the country’s response.