Anthony Albanese has told Australian Jews that his government is committed to keeping them safe amid rising inter-community tensions after the Hamas attack on Israel and the prospect of all-out war in the Middle East.
As thousands of people gathered in Sydney on Wednesday night to commemorate the deaths of civilians and show support for Israel, the prime minister addressed the Jewish community at St Kilda shule in Melbourne.
He said the targeting of civilians and taking of hostages by Hamas was an affront to all Australians and, as Israel responded by pledging to “obliterate” Hamas in its Gaza stronghold, Albanese acknowledged that many Australian Jews would fear “a rise in antisemitism here at home”.
“I want to assure you, that kind of hateful prejudice has no place in Australia. Our country is better than that – and our country is a better place because of you and your community.
“And my government is committed to keeping the community safe.
“All Australians embrace you in this time of trauma. We hold you in our hearts.”
Albanese said earlier on Wednesday that at least two government-backed Qantas flights would help Australians leave Israel “starting Friday” as the death toll in the region mounts.
Australia’s Jewish community has been on high alert after a cluster of anti-Israeli protests and reports of antisemitic threats.
A pro-Palestinian rally on Monday night saw some attendees chant anti-Jewish rhetoric and light flares while police say they are investigating a handful of threats made against Jewish citizens in Sydney and Melbourne.
Security around Jewish schools and synagogues has been tightened due to fears of potential violence.
A spokesperson for the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, Alex Ryvchin, said the community was in constant contact with police, the government and private security advisers.
“I want to encourage my people to be proud, to identify as Jews and to deepen their Jewishness at a time when it’s under attack,” he said. “But I know that many in my community worry about the safety of their children and their loved ones.”
A security company run by the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies that patrols community facilities across Sydney has raised its threat level to heightened, believing a terrorist attack could be possible.
Community Security Group Victoria similarly raised its threat level to severe and promised to boost its presence at Jewish schools.
The group said it was aware of a heightened level of fear and anxiety in the community but called for calm.
The New South Wales police deputy commissioner Mal Lanyon acknowledged the anxiety within the Jewish community but stressed the force had increased patrols and there was no immediate risk.
“We would be encouraging parents of students getting into those schools to send their children to school, knowing that the police will be supporting them,” he said.
As the NSW premier, Chris Minns, said a pro-Palestinian rally planned for Sydney on Sunday would not be allowed to go ahead, about 5,000 people descended upon Rodney Reserve in Dover Heights on Wednesday night, many clutching Israeli and Australian flags as well as signs reading “safety is a right” and “united with Israel”.
Jillian Segal, the president of the Executive Council of the Australian Jewry, addressed a solemn crowd, describing the attacks by Hamas as a “date that will live in infamy”.
“Our world has changed, the barbarians have breached the gates,” she said.
“The butchery and savagery that has unfolded in Israel beggars description ... we are totally shattered as we stand together this evening.”
The federal opposition leader, Peter Dutton, praised Israel for being a “resolute nation” and the Jewish people for their “determination [and] ability to always stuck together”.
