Prominent Australians condemn rising antisemitism and Islamophobia

A large cohort of business, political and community leaders have signed a letter condemning racism after an uptick in vilification incidents.

More than 600 prominent Australians, including former premiers Gladys Berejiklian and Daniel Andrews, have signed an open letter denouncing racism. Source: Getty / Mark Kolbe, Darrian Traynor.

Key Points

• A range of prominent Australians have condemned a surge in antisemitism and other forms of racism across Australia.
• This year has seen a 591 per cent increase in reports of antisemitism amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
• Islamophobia Register Australia has also been flooded with a 13-fold increase in reports.

Hundreds of business, political, sport, media and community leaders have signed a letter that condemns racism, but focuses especially on antisemitism, after a huge rise in offensive language, vandalism and harassment across Australia.

Data collected by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry showed there had been a 591 per cent increase in reported incidents of antisemitism in Australia this year.

Tensions have been particularly high since the outbreak of violence between Israel and Hamas on 7 October — the most recent escalation in the long-running conflict.

The letter, published in major newspapers including the Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and the Australian on Tuesday, takes a stand against antisemitism, Islamophobia and any form of racism in workplaces, hiring practices and business dealings.

"We are unequivocal in our resolve that racism in all its forms is deplorable and abhorrent," it said.

"Whether directed towards Jewish Australians, Muslim Australians, Asian Australians, Indigenous Australians or any other minority, we will not tolerate such conduct in our workplaces and firmly reject it in our communities."

The letter links to the website saynotoantisemitism.org, where members of the public are invited to sign the pledge.

The letter also specifically reaches out to Jewish employees, business partners and customers.

"We acknowledge the heightened feelings of threat being felt by your community right now and affirm your right to physical and psychological safety," it said.

"Together, we are united in our support of an Australia where all citizens are treated with respect, inclusivity and dignity."

Signatories include former politicians Daniel Andrews, Gladys Berejiklian, Josh Frydenberg and Alan Tudge, former AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan, media magnates Kerry Stokes and Lachlan Murdoch and billionaire businessman Anthony Pratt.

Islamophobia Register Australia has also been flooded with a 13-fold increase in reporting rates, averaging more than 30 reports a week since 7 October.

The 227 incidents to last Friday included the harassment of worshippers at mosques, Muslim women being spat at and verbal abuse.