279. Rising hatred toward Jews is not a good sign
Jewish children in Australia are facing severe antisemitism. The Bondi massacre is a brutal example of the widespread, unchecked antisemitism across the country.
In fact, antisemitic rhetoric has become normalized in contemporary Australia. For many, it has become very hard to feel safe as a Jew in the country.
They hear antisemitism all around them - greeted at schools with swastikas daubed on walls, seeing the stickers and graffiti, and witnessing classmates giving Nazi salutes. It’s become part of their psyche.
Handwritten posters are pasted on school walls with slogans such as ‘Israel has no history, only a criminal record’; ‘We owe Hitler an apology’; and ‘Nazis should have finished them off.’
A Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion was established there following the December Bondi massacre, in which two suspected Islamic State-inspired gunmen opened fire at a beachside Hanukkah event, killing 15 and injuring 40 members of the Jewish community.
A Jewish mother testified before the commission, saying that Australia has become more hostile and dangerous for Jews. She said she has witnessed swastikas etched all around the school and children saying ‘Heil Hitler’ and raising their hands in a salute.
When she raised the issue on her social media platform, she was called names such as ‘kike,’ ‘dirty Jew,’ ‘dirty Jewish pig,’ ‘baby killer,’ and ‘baby eater,’ and labeled genocidal. She said her children were also being bombarded with antisemitic content on social media.
Such incidents are not limited to Australia. People are unashamedly being antisemitic and saying the vilest things about Jewish people and Jewish children in many other countries.
It happened in London. A recent survey in the US also found that young people are very critical of Jews.
While speaking with some of my Israeli friends, I have often said that, because of Netanyahu’s adamant stance, Jews around the world are criticized for Israel’s actions in Gaza. In fact, they are widely hated, and one day it will all explode.
And believe me, they agree, but they say they could do nothing except raise slogans on the street. The ruling establishment has so many excuses, citing Hamas, Iran, and Lebanon. The only choice they have is an election, which is long overdue.
It is understandable that there is hatred of Israel, and the attack in London, what is happening in Australia, and stray incidents in US cities were a direct result of that antipathy.
After October 7, 2023, Israel has killed an estimated 75,000 innocent people, including 20,000 children.
Jewish and Israeli people are personally targeted and blamed for the actions of the Israeli government, and children are coming home from school telling their mothers they don’t want to be Jewish.