A Growing Concern Over Anti-Semitic Incidents in Australia
A prominent Jewish advocate has raised serious concerns about a recent decision by police not to shut down a neo-Nazi rally outside the New South Wales (NSW) Parliament. The event, which took place in November 2025, was criticized for its potential risk to public safety.
Peter Wertheim, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, spoke at an anti-Semitism inquiry on Tuesday. He described the NSW police’s decision to allow the rally as a “gross error of judgment.” According to Wertheim, the group of around 60 demonstrators, linked to the Nationalist Socialist Network, shouted Nazi slogans and displayed a large banner with the slogan “Abolish the Jewish Lobby.”
“I take it that they were referring to me,” Mr Wertheim said. “And other people like me who represent Jewish institutions and Jewish organisations.”
The NSW police had been given a week’s notice about the neo-Nazi rally through a permit application but decided not to pursue legal action. Wertheim expressed his concern about the potential danger posed by such a gathering in a high-traffic area like Macquarie Street.
“Having a phalanx of Neo Nazis on Macquarie Street, where people are passing by,” Mr Wertheim said. “A person of colour could have passed by, a person wearing Jewish religious clothing or Muslim religious clothing. The risk to public safety that that would have constituted seemed to me to be a gross error of judgment.”
Personal Accounts of Anti-Semitic Experiences
A Royal Commission into anti-Semitism is currently conducting two weeks of public hearings to understand the lived experiences of Australia’s Jewish community. These hearings aim to highlight the challenges faced by individuals and communities affected by anti-Semitic behavior.
Joshua Gomperts shared his experience during a New Year’s festival in regional Victoria. He was volunteering with St John’s Ambulance when one of the first responders pulled out a knife.
“One of the firefighters looks at me, and he goes, ‘you’re a Jew’,” Mr Gompert told the inquiry. “He pulls out a large hunting knife and looks at me and goes, ‘I would skin you the way my family skinned yours in the camps.’”
Another account came from Melbourne man Kovi Paneth, who was taking public transport home from the airport on November 26, 2025. He overheard a commotion behind him and heard someone shouting anti-Semitic remarks.
“I heard someone screaming words to the effect of, ‘how many babies would you need to kill in Gaza before you will be happy you effing Jew’,” Mr Paneth said. “After another minute or so of him rambling on and saying things, he realised he wasn’t going to be able to bait me, so he actually just stopped.”
Ongoing Investigations and Future Steps
The commission is expected to release a final report before the end of the year. This report will provide insights into the prevalence of anti-Semitic incidents in Australia and recommend measures to address these issues effectively.
The testimonies shared during the inquiry highlight the urgent need for increased awareness and action against anti-Semitism. As the commission continues its work, it is hoped that the findings will lead to meaningful changes that protect all members of the community, regardless of their background or beliefs.
