In the wake of the 2023 Israel-Gaza conflict, Australia’s intelligence agency has raised concerns about a surge in antisemitism that was left unchecked, leading to increased violence against Jewish communities. This was revealed during a Royal Commission inquiry into the tragic Bondi Beach mass shooting, which claimed 15 lives during a Jewish Hanukkah celebration last December.

Escalating Threats and Violence

Mike Burgess, Director-General of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), testified that the rise in antisemitic incidents contributed to the decision to elevate the national terrorism threat level to ‘probable’ in August 2024. He noted that the Middle East conflict stirred a range of emotions in Australia, some of which manifested in violent and antisemitic behaviors that were not adequately addressed.

Burgess highlighted that from late 2024, antisemitism in Australia intensified, evolving from threatening and intimidating behavior to direct attacks on individuals, businesses, and places of worship. This included vandalism and arson targeting homes, schools, synagogues, and vehicles, culminating in the Bondi attack.

International Involvement

The inquiry also revealed that Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was implicated in two antisemitic attacks on a kosher restaurant in Sydney and the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne. This led to the expulsion of Iran’s ambassador in August. Burgess suggested that Iran might have been involved in more attacks, although conclusive evidence was lacking.

ASIO’s findings underscore the broader threat posed by networks of proxies and agents used by Iran to harm Jewish communities globally. The commission’s hearings have focused on understanding the nature and prevalence of antisemitism, with testimonies from Jewish community members shedding light on their experiences.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.