In a powerful and personal reflection, a prominent Perth rabbi has voiced a grave concern that is resonating across the nation: a palpable creep of anti-Semitism is altering the very fabric of the Australia he knows and loves.
A Personal Reflection on a Changing Nation
Rabbi Daniel J. Lieberman of Perth's Dianella Hebrew Congregation has observed a troubling shift in the Australian social landscape. The spiritual leader, who has called Australia home for years, now finds himself confronting a reality where anti-Jewish sentiment is becoming more overt and socially acceptable in certain quarters. He describes this not as a sudden explosion, but as a sinister 'creep' – a gradual, insidious normalisation of hatred that has fundamentally changed his perception of the country.
Rabbi Lieberman's concerns are not abstract. He points to the period following the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel as a catalyst that unleashed a wave of public discourse and protest often laced with anti-Semitic tropes. What he finds particularly distressing is how this sentiment has moved from the fringes into more mainstream conversations and public spaces, creating an environment of anxiety and alienation for Jewish Australians.
From Online Vitriol to Street-Level Intimidation
The manifestation of this anti-Semitism creep is multifaceted. Rabbi Lieberman details experiences that range from vicious online abuse and threats to more tangible, real-world intimidation. He recounts incidents where individuals have felt emboldened to express hateful views directly to Jewish community members, a breach of the traditional Australian ethos of 'fair go' and mutual respect.
This atmosphere has forced a reconsideration of daily life and security within the community. The rabbi notes a heightened state of vigilance, where synagogues and Jewish schools have significantly increased their security measures. The need for such precautions marks a profound departure from the previously held sense of safety and integration, signalling a loss of innocence for the community within Australian society.
The Core Fear: A Fractured Social Contract
At the heart of Rabbi Lieberman's message is a deep-seated fear for Australia's celebrated social cohesion. The nation's strength has long been built on a foundation of multicultural harmony and mutual tolerance. The rabbi argues that the normalisation of anti-Semitism poses a direct threat to this foundational principle. When one community is targeted and made to feel unsafe, the social contract that binds all Australians together begins to fray.
His commentary serves as a stark warning: the creep of anti-Semitism is not solely a Jewish issue. It is a bellwether for the health of Australian democracy and pluralism. History has shown that hatred directed at one minority rarely remains contained. The tactics and rhetoric, once legitimised, can easily be turned against other groups, eroding the rights and safety of all.
Rabbi Lieberman's call is ultimately one for awareness, education, and leadership. He urges all Australians to recognise the signs of this creeping bigotry and to actively reject it in all its forms. Upholding the values of respect and dignity, he contends, is the only way to preserve the inclusive and tolerant Australia that he, and so many others, fell in love with. The challenge now is to halt the creep before it becomes an unstoppable march.
