The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN) condemns what appears to be an Islamophobic and anti-Palestinian hate crime in Newport on Monday, where a van parked outside a house displaying a Palestinian flag was the target of a dangerous arson attack.
Witnesses reported hearing the attacker shouting Islamophobic slogans, leaving little doubt that this was a deliberate act of hatred aimed at intimidating Muslim and Palestinian communities.
This deeply troubling incident, which could have resulted in a catastrophic explosion, highlights the escalating threats faced by those who stand in solidarity with Palestine. It is unconscionable that community members are being targeted for exercising their democratic right to express political views and support for Palestinians living under Israeli genocide, illegal occupation, and apartheid.
APAN is further alarmed that this attack comes in the wake of recent comments by Liberal MP Dave Sharma, who outrageously dismissed Islamophobia as “fictitious.” Such remarks are not only baseless but also dangerous, as they embolden bigots, undermine the very real and growing threat faced by Australia’s Muslim community, and create an environment where hate can fester and escalate.
The lack of an urgent and coordinated response to this hate crime further amplifies this harm, and starkly contrasts with the swift action taken to address recent antisemitic incidents.
This arson attack is not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of growing hostility toward Muslim and Palestinian communities in Australia. Anti-Palestinian racism is becoming increasingly normalised as leaders and the media continue to conflate antisemitism with Palestine solidarity rallies.
This attack underscores the pressing need for authorities to treat anti-Palestinian racism and Islamophobic hate crimes with the seriousness they deserve, and that has been demonstrated towards other hate crimes, ensuring perpetrators are held accountable and affected communities are supported.
We demand a public acknowledgement of the anti-Palestinian and Islamophobic nature of this attack by political leaders and law enforcement, immediate and thorough investigation of this hate crime, and greater resourcing of reporting, monitoring and processes for addressing anti-Palestinian racism and Islamophobia, as part of broader solutions to combat the rampant racism that exists in Australian society.
Comments attributed to APAN President Nasser Mashni:
“This arson attack is a horrifying reminder of the growing Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian hatred in Australia.
“Denying the existence of Islamophobia, as some public figures have done, doesn’t erase the fear and danger faced by Muslim and Palestinian communities – it emboldens those who seek to harm them.
“It is unacceptable that this attack hasn’t received the same outrage, urgency and attention as other hate crimes.
“We demand immediate government action to protect Palestinian and Muslim communities from this hate, and stronger support for solutions to combat racism in Australian society. Anything less is a failure to treat all Australians equally.”