Holocaust survivors president says exclusion of Jews from public life has ‘disturbing parallels’ to Nazi Germany

George Foster, president of the Australian Association of Jewish Holocaust Survivors and Descendants, warned that rising antisemitism in Australia shows “disturbing parallels” to the social climate of Nazi Germany. Speaking before the antisemitism royal commission in Melbourne, Foster emphasized that while Australia's democratic institutions and legal systems remain distinct from those of pre-war Germany, he observed troubling trends in public attitudes toward Jews. The royal commission’s fifth round of hearings focused on security measures for the Jewish community. Community leaders from synagogues and Jewish schools testified that antisemitic incidents had surged since October 2023. Some Jewish Australians have reportedly left the country to reside in Israel due to these concerns. Foster, who arrived in Australia in 1947 as a child of Holocaust survivors, recounted a shocking protest at the Sydney Opera House following Hamas’s attacks on Israel in late October 2023. He described hearing expletives and vilification of Jews that deeply unsettled him and many others in the community. New South Wales police later confirmed that chants such as “Where’s the Jews?” and “Fuck the Jews” were used at the protest. Foster, also the president of the Southern Sydney Synagogue, noted that while antisemitic attacks had occurred historically, such as an arson incident in 1991 during the first Gulf War, the current atmosphere felt more hostile. He pointed out that the lack of overt vilification in the past made it easier for the community to recover from such incidents. Following a 2025 attack involving swastikas painted on the synagogue’s walls, security measures were upgraded, including the installation of a fence. The royal commission also heard testimony from Benjamin Klein, president of Adass Israel synagogue in southeast Melbourne, which was founded by Holocaust survivors. Klein detailed the emotional toll of an arson attack in December 2024, which he claimed was linked to the Iranian government. The synagogue serves as a central part of Jewish life, hosting celebrations from a child’s birth to their wedding and beyond. Klein expressed devastation at having these moments disrupted, solely because of one’s Jewish identity. He noted that the synagogue had previously sought government grants for security but was unsuccessful, prompting the hiring of a dedicated staff member to handle such requests. Two Jewish schools in Melbourne, Mount Scopus Memorial College and Bialik College, also shared their experiences. Both institutions reported a sharp increase in security costs since October 2023, with parents facing additional levies beyond regular tuition fees. Dan Sztrajt, principal of Mount Scopus, revealed that the school had documented 131 antisemitic incidents targeting the campus or students since January 2022. These incidents included graffiti on school property, reflecting a broader pattern of hostility against Jewish communities. Community members and officials continue to seek greater support and protection, particularly as antisemitic acts appear to be escalating. The royal commission is expected to release further findings and recommendations aimed at addressing these challenges, ensuring the safety and inclusion of Jewish Australians within society.