Rise in Anti-Semitism a ‘Failure of Political Leadership’: Dutton

Palestine supporters rally outside the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia, on Oct. 9, 2023. Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

Opposition leader Peter Dutton has taken aim at a “failure of political leadership” as one reason leading to a rise in anti-Semitism in Australia.

This is despite Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaking out against anti-Semitism in Australia in multiple interviews.

But Mr. Dutton said Mr. Albanese has not “risen to the moment” since the Sydney Opera House protests on Oct. 9.

On that day, hundreds of people were seen and heard on camera chanting, burning, and stomping on the Israel flag at a pro-Palestinian rally.

This followed 1,200 people, including innocent Israeli civilians, being killed when Hamas launched a terrorist attack on Israel on Oct. 7.

In a speech at the Tom Hughes Oration in Sydney, Mr. Dutton said anti-Semitism incidents in Australia have soared by 738 percent since protests at the Sydney Opera house.

Mr. Dutton said he believed there were two causes for this fallout, namely “a failure of law enforcement to exercise its power” and a “failure of political leadership from those in power.”

“The prime minister has failed to grasp the gravity of what’s happening on our soil. He cannot see the danger which anti-Semitism poses to our social cohesion, to our way of life, and to the preservation of the Australian achievement,” he said.

“To his credit, the prime minister has delivered a few strong statements condemning Hamas’ attacks and incidents of anti-Semitism in Australia. But the strength of these statements has been weakened by Labor’s own doing,” Mr. Dutton said.

Mr. Dutton said the prime minister and members of his government have “downplayed” the unprecedented level of anti-Semitism afflicting Australia.

He said a profound social challenge is being treated as a “routine problem” that Labor was probably hoping would disappear on its own.

“Indeed, insufficient political resolve also explains shortfalls in the resolve of law enforcement,” Mr. Dutton said.

Mr. Dutton said anti-Semitism has found “many footholds in Australia.”

Albanese Also Concerned About Rise in Anti-Semitism

However, Mr. Albanese has spoken out against anti-Semitism and called out those trying to draw Australia into the conflict in recent interviews.

On ABC Melbourne Mornings on March 1, Mr. Albanese said he was very concerned about social disharmony, a rise in anti-Semitism, a rise in Islamophobia, and “people engaging in misinformation.”

At the time, Mr. Albanese expressed the need to “tone down” some of the rhetorical positions that are being put in Australia.

“We are not major players in the Middle East. We have put our voice to both voting for United Nations resolutions, but also with clear statements calling for humanitarian ceasefire, calling for aid and support, to be able to get through to the people of Gaza, calling for a release of the hostages,” Mr. Albanese said

In a separate interview on 3AW on March 1, Mr. Albanese described anti-Semitism as a “scourge” and noted it was rising across the country.

“Well, anti-Semitism is a scourge, and it’s a scourge here in Victoria. It’s a scourge, unfortunately, on the rise around Australia. And I feel very much for the Jewish community who are suffering from this,” Mr. Albanese said.

Mr. Albanese said targeting businesses just because they happen to be owned by someone who is Jewish is a “disgrace.”

The prime minister said he has been a long term opponent of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) campaign.

“We know what the Star of David being put above shops leads to. It happened in Germany in the 1930s. It should never happen,” he said.

In February, Mr. Albanese said he had asked the Attorney General to bring forward legislation to deal with doxxing, the malicious publication of private information online.

This followed pro-Palestinian activists publishing the private details of 600 Jewish people online.

“The idea that in Australia, someone should be targeted because of their religion, because of their faith, whether they be Jewish or Muslim or Hindu or Catholic or Buddhist, is just completely unacceptable,” Mr. Albanese said.

Foreign Minister Calls for 2-State Solution

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Penny Wong once again called for a two-state solution during a speech to the  Australian National University National Security College.

Ms. Wong said the “simple truth” was that a secure and prosperous future for both Israelis and Palestinians would only come with a two-state solution.

“Recognition of each other’s right to exist. A Palestinian state alongside the State of Israel,” Ms. Wong said.

The minister said the “international community” was considering the question of Palestinian statehood to build momentum towards a two-state solution.

“As British Foreign Secretary Cameron has said, the UK ‘will look at the issue of recognising a Palestinian state, including at the United Nations.’ He said this could make the two-state solution ‘irreversible,’” she said.

However, Mr. Dutton said until Hamas is defeated, a two-state solution “isn’t even conceivable” because Hamas will always pose an existential threat to Israel.

“This reality makes the foreign minister’s remarks last night utterly illogical, ill-timed, and inappropriate,” Mr. Dutton said.

“For a crass domestic political win, Penny Wong has irreparably damaged our relations with our ally Israel.”