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Antisemitic activity in Australia intensified sharply in the immediate aftermath of the Bondi Beach Hanukkah massacre, with online and offline incidents multiplying within days of the attack.
New figures released by Israel’s Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism on Thursday indicated that expressions of antisemitic hatred increased by approximately 600% compared to pre-attack levels, marking a sudden escalation rather than a gradual rise.
Online Antisemitic Activity Spiked Rapidly
In the period before the attack, antisemitic discourse circulating online in Australia averaged around 3,000 posts per day. That baseline shifted dramatically once the attack occurred.
On the day of the massacre, antisemitic posts surged to roughly 17,100, representing an increase of more than 400%. Activity intensified further the following day, exceeding 21,500 posts. That peak reflects an increase of about 600% over routine levels.
While social media platforms later removed some content under moderation policies, the overall volume of hostile antisemitic material remained significantly elevated. Even after intervention, antisemitic discourse continued at roughly five times the previous daily average.
Monitoring Focused on Explicit Antisemitic Content
The ministry’s analysis relied on continuous monitoring of online platforms in Australia. The system identified content that included explicit antisemitic slurs, Holocaust denial terminology, and direct incitement targeting Jews.
Neutral references and general news-related discussion were excluded from the dataset. Officials said this approach ensured the figures reflected active expressions of hatred rather than broader public conversation.
Increase Accompanied by Real-World Incidents
According to the ministry, the online spike was accompanied by incidents in physical spaces. Jewish students reported verbal harassment, and cases of vandalism and intimidation targeting Jewish property were documented in the days following the attack.
Officials warned that such patterns are consistent with previous spikes in antisemitism following major violent events, where online incitement often precedes or coincides with in-person targeting.
In response to the surge, the ministry said it was coordinating with Jewish organizations in Australia and working with other Israeli government bodies. The response included issuing alerts and providing support to schools, synagogues, and other Jewish institutions facing heightened risk.
The ministry emphasized the importance of early response during periods when antisemitic activity escalates rapidly.
Israeli Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Minister Amichai Chikli said the data highlighted a broader failure to address antisemitism at its source.
“The Australian government is not doing enough to uproot the phenomenon,” Chikli said.
He added that online incitement plays a central role in escalating threats to Jewish communities and called for firm, sustained action to counter it.
Take Action
CAM has launched Report It — a secure app to report antisemitic incidents anonymously and in real time. Don’t stay silent — download it today on the Apple Store or Google Play. See it. Report it. Stop it. Together, we can fight this hate.
