Israeli Minister Accuses Australia’s Labor of ‘Ineffectual Response’ Against Antisemitism

Australian Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus at the National Press Club in Canberra, Australia, on Oct. 12, 2022. AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel has blamed Australia’s current leadership for a spike in antisemitism in the country.

Haskel made the statement on X following a high-level meeting with Australia’s Labor Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus.

Dreyfus’s visit comes as antisemitic acts of vandalism, and arson continue in Sydney and Melbourne targeting Jewish community areas.

Also in late November, Israel’s former Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked was denied a visa into Australia on “character grounds.”

Prior to the official visit, the attorney-general said the meeting demonstrated “Australia’s long-standing friendship with the Israeli people and our commitment to peace in the Middle East.”

“On this trip, I will reiterate Australia’s demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all remaining hostages held by Hamas, our support for a ceasefire as endorsed by the United Nations Security Council, increased humanitarian access to Gaza and for international law to be upheld,” he said in a statement on Jan. 14.

Haskel’s Frosty Response

Haskel’s response after the meeting was frosty and direct.

“I expressed to him my disappointment with the shift in then Australian government’s attitude towards Israel,” she wrote on social media.

“I emphasised our deep concern regarding the shocking rise in antisemitism in Australia and the clearly ineffectual response from the Australian government and state governments.

“There is no doubt this has been caused in part by the Australian government’s ongoing campaign against Israel.”

The Australian Labor government most recently backed two U.N. resolutions unfavourable to Israel alongside 157 other countries including Canada and New Zealand. The United States voted against it.

Haskel called for Australia to navigate its relationship with Israel back towards steadier waters.

“I expressed my expectation and hope that Australia’s policy towards Israel will return to reflecting our long-standing relations based on shared values and interests,” she said.

The Executive Council of Australian Jewry reports a 316 percent increase in antisemitic incidents over the past year, with cases of physical assault up 491 percent.

Dreyfus, who is Jewish, visited key locations including memorials to the people murdered by terror group Hamas at the Nova music festival and Kibbutz Be-eri.

On Jan. 17, Dreyfus met with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar to discuss the ceasefire.

In December, Sa'ar told an Israeli publication that he had spoken with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong.

“Australia chose to distance itself from Israel during its most difficult year, in which it fought against the most bitter enemies,” Sa'ar told Israeli media.

“Israel is a Western democracy that maintains the rule of law, has an independent judiciary and adheres to international law,” he said.