Australia has experienced the most significant increase in antisemitic incidents among countries with large Jewish diaspora communities, according to a new international report examining the global rise in anti-Jewish hatred.

The report, released through the Anti-Defamation League as part of its J7 initiative — a coalition representing some of the world’s largest Jewish communities — found Australia recorded a 246 per cent increase in antisemitic incidents since October 7, 2023.

The J7 report compared trends across major Jewish diaspora nations, including Australia, the United States and Germany, and found Australia’s increase since 2021 was the highest among all participating countries, with incidents rising by 270 per cent.

Germany recorded the second-largest increase at 215 per cent, followed by the United States at 131 per cent.

Long-term rise in antisemitic incidents

Data compiled by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) showed antisemitic incidents in Australia increased from 231 in 2013 to 1,654 in 2025 — a rise of more than 600 per cent over the period.

The figures are based on incidents recorded between October 1 and September 30 each year and include reports of assault, harassment, vandalism, graffiti and other forms of abuse.

Following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza, reported antisemitic incidents rose sharply, increasing from 495 in 2023 to 2,062 in 2024, according to ECAJ data.

While incidents declined by around 20 per cent in 2025 compared with the previous year, the overall level remained significantly higher than previous years.

The report also found Australia had the second-highest rate of antisemitic incidents per 1,000 Jewish residents among J7 countries in 2025.

Australia recorded a rate of 14.14 incidents per 1,000 Jewish residents, behind Germany, which recorded 69.80 incidents per 1,000 residents.

The report also highlighted the global impact of violent antisemitism, noting that 2025 was the deadliest year for antisemitic attacks outside Israel in more than three decades.

Of the 20 people killed in antisemitic attacks worldwide during the year, 15 were victims of the Bondi terrorist attack in Australia, according to the report.

Social media driving concerns

The report highlighted the growing role of online platforms in spreading antisemitic abuse.

Research from Australia’s Online Hate Prevention Institute found antisemitic content across social media platforms increased by an average of 839 per cent following October 7, 2023.

The increase varied between platforms, with X recording a 337 per cent rise and Gab recording a 984 per cent increase.

The findings were presented amid ongoing discussions about the role of technology companies in addressing online hate, including during hearings of Australia’s Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion.

Senior Counsel Assisting the commission, Richard Lancaster SC, said social media platforms were not doing enough to address antisemitism online and argued stronger accountability measures were needed.

Concerns over university campuses

The report also highlighted concerns about antisemitism affecting Jewish students and staff at Australian universities.

A survey conducted by the Australian Academic Alliance Against Antisemitism found 67 per cent of Jewish university students and staff surveyed had experienced antisemitic harassment.

The survey found:

• 43 per cent reported being ignored or excluded;
• 39 per cent said they had experienced insults or harassment on social media;
• only 34 per cent said they felt safe on campus;
• 60 per cent rated their university’s response to antisemitism between zero and three out of ten;
• 51 per cent said they lacked confidence in university complaint systems.

The report warned that antisemitic incidents, discrimination and propaganda were expected to remain a serious concern in 2026.

However, it said Australia’s Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion could provide an opportunity for meaningful reforms.

The commission is expected to deliver recommendations later in 2026, with hopes that its findings will help strengthen responses to antisemitism and improve social cohesion.

The findings come amid a broader international debate over how governments, institutions, technology platforms and communities can respond to rising hatred while protecting democratic freedoms.

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