Jewish Australian Businessman Harry Triguboff Calls for Government Action Against Rising Antisemitism Post-Bondi

Australia’s government must do more to combat rising antisemitism in the aftermath of the Bondi Beach Hanukkah massacre, a leading Jewish Australian businessman and philanthropist said this week.

In comments published by The Australian on Sunday, real estate developer Harry Triguboff warned of far-reaching consequences for Australia for its failures to protect its Jewish community.

“The government has not done enough to crackdown on antisemitism,” Triguboff said. “Australia was once known as the least antisemitic country in the world. If Australia becomes antisemitic people don’t want to do business here, that affects everyone, not only Jews.”

Trigubofff called the murder of 15 people — ranging from an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor and a ten-year-old girl — at a communal Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach on Dec. 14 “terrible” and “unbelievable.”

Born to Russian Jewish parents in China, the 92-year-old Triguboff moved with his family to Australia in the aftermath of World War II.  In 1963, he founded the Meriton property development and construction company, and his net worth now stands at an estimated $31.5 billion, making him one of Australia’s wealthiest individuals.

A generous philanthropist, Triguboff supports many Jewish causes, including the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM). His eldest daughter, Dr. Orna Triguboff, serves on CAM’s Advisory Board for Australia.

“Mr. Triguboff’s powerful and timely message is one that needs to be heard, reminding us that standing up to antisemitism is not just a Jewish concern, but a shared Australian responsibility,” said Executive Director for CAM Australia Yigal Nisell. “By speaking out, he is exhibiting the very moral leadership and courage that were so lacking in the Australian government’s response to the proliferation of antisemitism across the country in recent years. We hope his call will be heeded and that real action will be taken at all levels of power in Australia to ensure there is a future for the country’s Jewish citizens.”