British comedian and author, David Baddiel writes in his provocative book exploring anti Semitism, ‘Jews Don’t Count’, that “Anti-Semitism is a second-class racism.” Baddiel explores numerous examples where he asserts that anti Semitism is ignored by those who oppose other forms of discrimination and he believes that this allows it to flourish.

He points out that in the United States in 2018 60% of reported religiously motivated hate crimes targeted Jews while Jews accounted for just 2.4% of the American population.

Growing up in Melbourne’s warm and vibrant Jewish community, I was so lucky to be able to comfortably celebrate and explore my emerging Jewish and Australian identities and to do so with a sense of absolute safety and stability.  

I believe that, by and large, young Jewish people experience acceptance, respect and interest in their Jewish culture. However, over the past years we have seen increasing incidents of anti Semitism in Australia. There have been well documented allegations concerning mistreatment of Jewish students in Victorian state schools and on university campuses. We have seen a proliferation of swastikas, anti Semitic pamphlets and abuse in online forums.

One response from the state government has been a ban on the public display of the swastika and corresponding legislation is also being enacted in other states across Australia.

Certainly this has become increasingly topical over the last month. Influential American rapper Ye (formerly known as Kanye West) made anti Semitic statements in an interview in early October. When criticised for this, Ye stated that he would go: “death [sic] con  3 On JEWISH PEOPLE.” In subsequent interviews he repeatedly drew upon anti Semitic tropes and conspiracy theories such as a supposed Jewish quest for world domination. He repeatedly used the phrase “the Jewish media” and criticised supposed negative Jewish influence over the music industry.

Following a public campaign, his major business partners including Balenciaga, Vogue and Adidas all publicly cut ties with Ye, in the case of Adidas stating that the company “does not tolerate antisemitism and any other sort of hate speech”.

The following week, NBA star Kyrie Irving was suspended by the Brooklyn Nets for “failure to disavow anti Semitism” after he posted a link to a shockingly anti Semitic film on his social media.

This week, the Anti-Defamation League called upon Twitter advertisers to stop advertising there due to a reported surge in anti Semitic content following Elon Musk’s takeover of the company in late October. 

While each of these accounts are enormously concerning, it is gratifying that contrary to Baddiel’s assertions, this anti Semitism has not been ignored and the perpetrators have been held to account.

It is natural for us to feel uncomfortable at the rise in anti Semitic incidents. In my view, I believe that being vigilant to challenge such occurrences, as would be the case for other forms of intolerance, is essential. Doing so will help us to preserve the warmth, openness and celebration of difference that Melbourne has been renowned for.