Full Breakdown
Surge in Antisemitic Threats Prompts Security Overhaul for Australian Jewish Communities
7/20/2026, 8:16:00 PM
Royal Commission Findings on Community Safety
During the fifth hearing block of the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion in Melbourne, evidence revealed that many Australian synagogues have been forced to cancel Friday-night services because they “couldn’t afford to pay a guard, and felt that they could not discharge their duty of care to congregants without one.” Counsel assisting Richard Lancaster SC warned that the financial and organisational strain on Jewish institutions is unique among Australian faith groups, leading to a “shrinking of Jewish communal life” as security concerns dominate daily operations. Volunteers from the Community Security Group (CSG) described an “immense” psychological toll and warned that the current model is “not sustainable” without additional support.
Background: Post-October 7 Rise in Antisemitism
The commission noted that the wave of antisemitic incidents accelerated after the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. Former attorney-general Mark Dreyfus recounted personal experiences of abuse that began only after that date, underscoring a broader shift in public hostility toward Jewish Australians.
Data & Statistics
- A total of 1,576 antisemitic incidents were reported to CSGs nationwide in 2025, a 22 % increase over 2024.
- The 2025 CSG report, pending release, listed 1,276 incidents, the highest annual total recorded.
- Incidents involving schoolchildren numbered 51 across the country, with several hundred reported by Jewish schoolchildren traveling to and from school.
- Volunteer security contributions rose sharply: 113,700 hours were logged by volunteers and administrative staff in 2025, and a single CSG member recorded 8,400 hours of service over five years.
- The cost of operating CSG services “pretty much tripled” since 2023, with most funding still coming from community donations despite limited state and federal grants.
Official Statements & Responses
Richard Lancaster SC emphasized that the threat to Jewish safety “exists on many fronts” and called for government action to alleviate the disproportionate burden on the community. Mark Dreyfus urged the Commonwealth to introduce “buffer zones” around synagogues and Jewish schools, modeled on existing restrictions around abortion clinics, stating the aim is “not to ban political protest … but rather to protect … Jewish Australians.” He also advocated for stronger online takedown powers, arguing that “it can’t just be left to the eSafety Commissioner” and that victims should be able to compel removal of abusive content without being over-matched by platform resources. Additional proposals included criminalising vilification, establishing a national gun registry, and granting a private right of action under a proposed digital duty of care.
Criticism & Concerns
While the commission’s witnesses stressed the urgency of protective measures, they also highlighted the unsustainable financial strain on Jewish institutions. The call for protest-restriction zones has raised questions about balancing community safety with freedom of expression, a tension noted by Dreyfus himself when he clarified that any legislation should “not to ban political protest.” No other religious group in Australia reports comparable security costs, reinforcing concerns about inequitable policy impacts.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I had never experienced that form of abuse.” — Mark Dreyfus, former attorney-general
- “It can't just be left to the eSafety Commissioner.” — Mark Dreyfus
- “A constant theme is the organizational time, energy, and money that has to be committed to security.” — Richard Lancaster, counsel assisting
- “There shouldn’t be this financial burden of being Jewish today, and I don’t see how this is sustainable.” — ACO, Community Security Group
- “It’s time to consider whether we need some similar restriction on protest activity outside synagogues, on protest activity outside schools and Jewish places of gathering, not to ban political protest … but rather to protect … Jewish Australians.” — Mark Dreyfus
What’s Next
The commission will continue hearings through next week, hearing from police, counter-terrorism experts, and the Department of Home Affairs before delivering its final report with recommendations that could shape future legislation on protest zones, online abuse takedowns, and funding for community-led security initiatives.
