‘Take That Down’: Jewish MP Mark Dreyfus Demands Action on Antisemitism as He Reveals Shocking Abuse and Vandalism
- Former attorney-general Mark Dreyfus shares harrowing account of antisemitic abuse and vandalism, including graffiti outside his office and being labelled a “genocidal Zionist”
- Mr Dreyfus urges Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion to consider stronger take-down powers for online abuse and exclusion zones around Jewish schools and synagogues
- MP reveals family history, including the loss of three grandparents in the Holocaust, and expresses pride in being a Zionist while condemning criticism of Jewish Australians for Israel’s actions
- Commission hears evidence of “substantial and ongoing threat” to Jewish community safety and security in Australia, with police agencies and counterterrorism experts to testify in coming days
Mark Dreyfus, a long-serving Jewish MP and former attorney-general, has shared a harrowing account of the antisemitic abuse and vandalism he has faced since the October 7 Hamas attacks against Israel.
In a powerful testimony to the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, Mr Dreyfus revealed that his office was vandalised with graffiti invoking a harmful trope and that he was labelled a “genocidal Zionist” by a stranger in Melbourne’s CBD.
Mr Dreyfus, whose father fled the Nazi regime as a child, detailed his family history, including the loss of three grandparents in the Holocaust. He expressed pride in being a Zionist, but stressed that this did not mean he supported the Israeli government.
“The line, if we can call it that, is crossed when criticism is directed at Jewish Australians simply because they are Jews,” he said. “Or equally bad when Jewish Australians are held responsible for the actions of Israel.”
The MP urged the commission to consider stronger take-down powers for online abuse, which would allow people affected by harmful content to initiate court or tribunal proceedings to have it removed.
He also suggested exclusion zones could be set up around Jewish schools and synagogues to keep protests at bay, similar to laws that exist for abortion clinics.
Mr Dreyfus’s testimony came as the commission turned its focus to security arrangements for Jewish communities, their funding, and their interaction with governments and law enforcement agencies.
Counsel assisting Richard Lancaster SC said in an opening statement that the evidence received and to be received by the commission shows a “substantial and ongoing threat” to the safety and security of the Jewish community in Australia.
Analysis: What This Means for Australia
The rise of antisemitism in Australia is a pressing concern that requires immediate attention from lawmakers and law enforcement agencies. The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion’s findings will be crucial in informing policy decisions to combat this growing threat.
Mr Dreyfus’s recommendations for stronger take-down powers and exclusion zones around Jewish schools and synagogues are a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to address the root causes of antisemitism.
Security analysts say that the threat to Jewish communities in Australia is real and growing, and that a comprehensive approach is needed to address it. This includes not only increasing security measures but also promoting education and awareness about the dangers of antisemitism.
Law enforcement agencies must also be equipped with the necessary resources and training to effectively respond to antisemitic incidents.
Industry observers believe that social media platforms have a critical role to play in combating online abuse and antisemitism.
The commission’s recommendations for stronger moderation and take-down powers will be closely watched by tech giants, who have come under fire for their handling of online hate speech.
As the commission continues its hearings, it is clear that the issue of antisemitism in Australia is complex and multifaceted.
But with the right policies and approaches in place, it is possible to create a safer and more inclusive environment for Jewish communities and all Australians.