The Daily Aus The rise of antisemitism in Australia
Dec 17, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, delves into the alarming rise of antisemitism in Australia, detailing a shocking 316% increase in reported incidents. He shares poignant reflections on the community's grief following the Bondi attacks and the psychological impact such violence aims to inflict. Alex discusses societal factors contributing to this surge and stresses the importance of personal connections to combat hatred. His insights call for resilience and community rebuilding in light of this troubling trend.
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Funeral And The Human Cost
- Alex Ryvchin describes attending the funeral of Rabbi Elie Schlanger and the community's grief after the massacre.
- He recounts seeing family mourning and stresses how the attack destroyed lives and changed the community forever.
Terrorism's Intended Victory
- Alex says the attackers achieved their aims by inflicting maximum misery and changing Jewish life in Australia.
- He notes terrorism's goal is to alter psyche, behaviour and policy, and in that sense the attackers succeeded.
Momentum From Slow Government Response
- Alex traces Australia's antisemitism rise for years, amplified after October 7 and met with slow government responses.
- He links tolerance and equivocal government stances to extremist actors feeling emboldened to escalate.