Episode Overview

Episode Title: What we know about the rise in antisemitic attacks in Australia and around the world
Podcast: Consider This from NPR
Date: December 15, 2025
Host: Mary Louise Kelly

This episode investigates the significant surge in antisemitic attacks witnessed in Australia since the Hamas-led assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, and discusses how this trend mirrors rising antisemitism in countries around the world. NPR’s Mary Louise Kelly interviews Deborah Lipstadt, former U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, to analyze the scale of the problem, the types of threats Jewish communities face, government and societal responses, and broader global implications.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Antisemitic Incidents in Australia: A Timeline

• Escalation of Violence: The episode opens by chronicling a series of attacks against Jewish institutions in Australia following October 7, 2023 (00:00):
  • Melbourne Jewish school vandalized with “Jew die” graffiti.
  • Sydney Jewish-owned bakery defaced.
  • Kosher deli set on fire.
  • Synagogue firebombed with one injury.
• Mass Shooting at Bondi Beach: Attack during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach, resulting in multiple casualties (00:44).
• Australian Jewish Community Warning: Jamie Himes of the Australia Israel and Jewish Affairs Council says the community had been warning authorities for two years about the growing threat (01:55):
  • “The Jewish community here has been warning our government and our authorities... that something like this was almost likely to happen because of the upsurge in antisemitism and violent antisemitism that we've seen ever since the October 7th attacks in 2023.” (02:07)

Response from Australian Leadership

• Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (00:44, 01:01):
  • “There is no place for this hate, violence and terrorism in our nation.”
• Calls for Action, Not Words: Community leaders stress the need for practical measures, not just condemnation.

Antisemitism Globally: Comparing Australia, U.S., and Europe

• Deborah Lipstadt’s Perspective (04:06):
  • Antisemitic violence and threats have spiked globally since October 7, 2023, including arsons and physical attacks on Jews in public spaces and religious venues on five continents.
  • Chants at rallies—such as “Globalize the intifada” and “Where are the Jews?”—are interpreted as explicit threats.
  • “There is something going on that's not happenstance...there is an effort which was exemplified by two events, one in Australia and one on the Upper East Side of Manhattan...” (04:40)
• ADL Data: Five-fold increase in antisemitic attacks in Australia since October 7th (06:20).
• Global Jewish Security Practices (06:57):
  • Visiting Jews are routinely advised to call ahead, bring ID, and look for signs of security before entering synagogues—even in the U.S. and Australia.
  • “Now it's the instructions everywhere. There was no public celebration except in Israel of Hanukkah last night on any continent without police protection.”

The Loss of Open Religious Life

• Contrast with Other Faith Communities: Lipstadt gives a poignant comparison about open church doors versus strict synagogue security (08:25):
  • “You'd never see that in any synagogue, in any place in the world again except in Israel.” (08:25)

Government and Societal Responses

• Government Action Critique (09:30):
  • “They say the right things, but the actions aren't happening.” (09:43)
  • Calls for stronger security, timely investigations, and taking overt threats more seriously.
  • Emphasizes the need to respond strongly to dangerous rhetoric.
• Recommendations for Prevention (10:45):
  • “Much better security. But the thing to do is to prevent it ahead of time... When they talk about globalizing the intifada... condemn it outright.” (10:46)
• Whole-Society Approach Needed: Successful prevention requires more than government; community solidarity is critical (11:57):
  • Lipstadt highlights that one perpetrator at Bondi was stopped by a Muslim resident risking his own life.

Progress and Remaining Gaps

• Acknowledging the Right Steps: Recent moves by the Australian government (such as federal task forces) are a positive direction but are seen as overdue (11:57).

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (01:01):
  “My message to Jewish Australians is that your fellow Australians stand with you tonight in condemning this act of terror and condemning this outrage. There is no place for this hate, violence and terrorism in our nation.”

• Jamie Himes, Australia Israel and Jewish Affairs Council (02:07):
  “The Jewish community here has been warning our government and our authorities for two years now that something like this was almost likely to happen because of the upsurge in antisemitism and violent antisemitism that we've seen ever since the October 7th attacks in 2023.”

• Deborah Lipstadt:

  • (04:40): “There is something going on that's not happenstance...there is an effort which was exemplified by two events, one in Australia and one on the Upper East Side of Manhattan...”
  • (06:57): “Now it's the instructions everywhere. There was no public celebration except in Israel of Hanukkah last night on any continent without police protection.”
  • (08:25): “You'd never see that in any synagogue, in any place in the world again except in Israel.”
  • (09:43): “They say the right things, but the actions aren't happening.”
  • (10:46): “Much better security. But the thing to do is to prevent it ahead of time... Condemn it outright.”
  • (11:57): “They are the steps in the right direction. You know, maybe a little late, but certainly in the right direction. ... It's gotta be a whole of society approach, too.”

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:00–01:18 — Recent attacks on Jewish sites in Australia and Prime Minister’s response
• 01:55–02:26 — Jamie Himes on the Jewish community’s warnings
• 04:06–06:20 — Deborah Lipstadt details the worldwide spike in antisemitism and related threats
• 06:57–08:12 — Changes in Jewish community security protocols globally
• 08:25–09:10 — Lipstadt’s story illustrating the loss of religious openness
• 09:30–10:46 — Critique of the Australian government’s action, call for practical preventive measures
• 11:33–11:57 — Evaluating official steps and emphasizing societal solidarity

Takeaway

This episode powerfully connects the dots between the rising tide of antisemitism in Australia and broader global patterns, mixing personal testimony, community warnings, and expert analysis. It emphasizes that while condemnation from government leaders is essential, only concrete security measures, thorough investigation, and comprehensive societal engagement can hope to stem the danger facing Jewish communities worldwide.