Australia’s government has defended its record on combating antisemitism after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused it of having anti-Israel policies. The accusation came in the wake of an arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue, which injured one person and caused significant damage.
Netanyahu claimed that Australia’s Labor government, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, was encouraging crimes like the attack through its policies, including support for a recent UN motion backing a Palestinian state. However, Australia’s minister for employment and workplace relations, Murray Watt, said the government had taken strong actions to stand against antisemitism.
Since taking office in May 2022, the Australian government has provided $25 million to Jewish organizations to upgrade security and safety at Jewish sites, including schools. The government has also banned the Nazi salute and is taking action against hate speech. Watt disagreed with Netanyahu’s assessment, stating that the government was working to stamp out antisemitism from its community.
Albanese condemned the synagogue attack, saying there was no place for antisemitism in Australia. Police are still searching for two people suspected of starting the fire. The attacks have raised concerns about a rise in antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents since the start of the Israel-Gaza war in October 2023.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/australia-defends-action-antisemitism-after-netanyahu-criticism-2024-12-07