MELBOURNE, Australia — On Tuesday, the government of Victoria unveiled a proposal aimed at tightening restrictions on protests, spurred by a troubling rise in antisemitism. The suggested legislation would implement a prohibition on demonstrations occurring outside religious venues, particularly after an arson incident at a Melbourne synagogue earlier this month and a separate event where demonstrators confined worshippers within a Sydney synagogue for three hours the previous week.
Premier Jacinta Allan expressed her concerns regarding the situation, stating, “That’s not peaceful protest. It’s menacing behavior.” She further emphasized the urgency of addressing antisemitism, calling it a “cancer” and a pervasive issue that must be confronted in all its manifestations. Allan committed to working towards healing the multicultural fabric of the community and emphasized the importance of unity in Victoria.
According to a statement from her office, the new laws are designed to ensure individuals can “gather and pray free from fear, harassment and intimidation.” These proposed regulations, which await a vote in the state legislature early next year, would create designated safe zones around places of worship and aim to prevent disruptions during religious services.
Additionally, the legislation would prohibit protesters from flying flags or displaying insignia associated with groups classified as terrorist organizations by the Australian government. It would also ban the use of face masks by protesters, which have been utilized to obscure identities and shield against capsicum spray.
Dvir Abramovich, chair of the Anti-Defamation Commission and a prominent advocate against antisemitism in Australia, praised the government’s initiative. He remarked, “Today, the Victorian government has declared war on hate and antisemitism — and it’s about time.” Abramovich indicated that Victoria has established a clear boundary against hate and threats, sending a strong warning to those who perpetrate violence and intimidation within communities.
The recent arson attack on Adass Israel Synagogue on December 6 has been regarded as a notable escalation in targeted hate crimes in Australia, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict between Israel and the militant group Hamas over the past year. Authorities have classified the incident as a terrorist act, which enables them to allocate additional resources toward the investigation.
Earlier this year, federal legislation was enacted to prohibit the Nazi salute and the display of Nazi symbols, a response to the increasing cases of antisemitism. Furthermore, the government appointed special envoys in an effort to tackle issues related to both antisemitism and Islamophobia.
As Australia continues to evolve into a more multicultural society, the findings from the 2021 census revealed that, for the first time, individuals born overseas or with at least one overseas-born parent constitute a majority of the population.