Violent Attacks on Jewish Community Across Australia – Justice Imposed Under New Hate Crime Laws

Violent Attacks on Jewish Community Across Australia – Justice Imposed Under New Hate Crime Laws

Australia passed new hate crime laws on Thursday, under which acts like performing a Nazi salute in public will be punished with mandatory imprisonment.

These laws were passed in response to the rise in violent attacks on Australia's Jewish community following Israel's war with Gaza. Under the new laws, less serious hate crimes like performing a Nazi salute in public will result in 12 months of imprisonment, while terrorism-related offences can lead to sentences of up to six years.

Recently, there has been a surge in attacks on synagogues, buildings, and cars belonging to Jewish community members in Australia, including the discovery of a caravan in Sydney containing explosives with a list of Jewish targets.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said, "I want those involved in hate-based activities to be held accountable, charged, and incarcerated." The hate crime bill was first introduced in Parliament in 2023, identifying new offences for threatening or committing violence based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, gender, sexual orientation, and intersex status.

Home Minister Tony Burke, who proposed the amendments to the law, stated that it is the toughest hate crime law Australia has ever had.

Last year, in Victoria state, Jacob Hersant was the first person to be convicted for performing the outlawed Nazi salute. In October 2023, he performed the Nazi salute and praised Adolf Hitler outside the Victoria County Court in front of media cameras.

In 2022, three men were convicted for performing the Nazi salute during a football match in Sydney.