The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network is distressed, but not surprised, to note a troubling surge in anti-Palestinian racism in Australia reported in the Islamophobia Register’s newly released 2023-2024 report.
This report is the first since the Register’s inaugural report in 2017 to feature a dedicated chapter on anti-Palestinian hate.
Between January 2023 and November 2024, incidents of anti-Palestinian racism rose dramatically and included attacks at pro-Palestinian protests, university encampments and public spaces.
Notably, incidents involving Palestinian symbols or activism accounted for eight per cent of the Register’s total reported incidents in 2023, rising to a staggering 25 per cent in 2024.
These incidents reflect not only hatred towards Palestinians, but also a broader demonisation of pro-Palestinian voices and supporters across Australia.
The report outlines some of the most disturbing incidents of anti-Palestinian racism, including violent assaults, graffiti and even bomb threats:
“Graffiti spray-painted on my driveway and footpath outside my house. The graffiti included several large swastikas, and text ‘Death to Palestine’ and ‘Get out, Muslim c**t.’” (Incident #3516)
“Six friends wearing Keffiyehs (five people of colour) entered the elevator of our hotel lobby following a drunk Caucasian assailant. The assailant…started calling us ‘Muslim terrorists’ and ‘I’ll kill every one of you c**ts.’ He started punching us, grabbing at our keffiyehs and pulling one person’s keffiyeh around their neck and choking them. He prevented us from trying to protect each other or to escape the elevator.Five of the six members of the group were physically assaulted.” (Incident #3718)
“An unknown individual left an improvised petrol bomb on my partner’s vehicle, which was parked in our driveway. Attached to the device was a handwritten note reading: ‘ENOUGH! TAKE DOWN FLAG! ONE CHANCE!!!’” (Incident #2854) The bomb was found to be a genuine explosive device, and the perpetrator was sentenced.
“I was at work when a patient walked past me and loudly proclaimed, “how good is the bombing they’re doing in the Middle East?”. The patient knows I’m Palestinian.” (incident # 2795)
“The incident occurred in our staff room during lunch. The perpetrator regularly makes comments about hating Arabs/ makes jokes about Islam and Ramadan etc. He is disgusting. On this day, someone said, “Tell her (meaning me) – she’s a pro-Palestine supporter”. To which I turned around and said, “Tell me what?” The perpetrator said, “I hope all the Palestinians die. I hope ALL ARABS die. Let them die.” And then I obviously went off at him. It was right after the tent massacre in Rafah. Everyone else stayed silent. I left crying. I am white Australian with no ties to Palestine.” (incident # 3524)
These examples unscore the severity and increasing violence of anti-Palestinian racism in Australia.
The Islamophobia Register’s findings are clear: the increase in anti-Palestinian racism – which continues to affect both Palestinians and those standing in solidarity with them – is part of a broader trend of racialised violence fuelled by both political rhetoric and media narratives that demonise Palestinians.
APAN supports the Register’s recommendation for increased resourcing of Palestinian organisations in Australia to counter anti-Palestinian racism and provide support to impacted communities.
We also urge the Australian government and media sector to recognise the urgent and dangerous nature of anti-Palestinian racism, and take meaningful action to address the harmful narratives that perpetuate this hate.
Comments attributed to APAN President Nasser Mashni:
“For almost 18 months, our organisation has been sounding the alarm on the deeply entrenched and systemic anti-Palestinian racism that persists in this country.
“This isn’t just about isolated incidents – this is a national issue that is embedded and perpetuated at the highest levels of government, media and society.
“Australia’s Opposition leader Peter Dutton’s constant vilification of Palestinians and their supporters – including his comments smearing those fleeing Israel’s genocide in Gaza – in order to score some cheap domestic points has become his go-to move, fuelling broader societal hate and racism.
“The toxic narrative that normalises hate and violence against Palestinians needs to be challenged, both publicly and institutionally.
“This report should be a wake-up call for the government. We demand immediate action – government-funded initiatives to support Palestinian communities, and an unequivocal public commitment to combating the criminalisation of Palestinians and their struggle.
“And we demand that the government take immediate, concrete action to end the greatest act of hate towards Palestinians of all – Israel’s genocide in Gaza.”