The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network strongly condemns the recent wave of racism-driven hate crimes across this continent. These acts are not isolated but part of a broader pattern of violence rooted in systemic racism and colonial political structures that perpetuate discrimination and injustice.
Recent incidents include the arson attack on a childcare centre in Maroubra, targeted attacks on the former home of a prominent Jewish individual in Sydney, and antisemitic vandalism of synagogues.
Over the past year, Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim communities have also faced increasing violence and discrimination. Anti-Palestinian racism and Islamophobia have manifested in disturbing acts such as the planting of a homemade bomb outside a house flying the Palestinian flag, anti-Palestinian graffiti, the firebombing of a business and the home of a Palestinian man, an Islamophobic and anti-Palestinian racist arson attack on a vehicle in Newport, a deliberate attempt to run over a Muslim leader, and violent threats against a Palestinian woman in a shopping centre. Palestinians and those speaking up for Palestinian rights have been censored, silenced, harassed, punished, and excluded from creative, educational, business, and political spaces. Fear of retribution and inaction prevents many people from speaking out against or reporting the daily discrimination and abuse they experience.
All these incidents are symptomatic of escalating hate fuelled by political, social, and media narratives that normalise, amplify, and use racism in order to entrench systemic discrimination.
This week, as we mark Invasion Day, we also particularly highlight the ongoing injustices faced by First Nations people, who continue to be disproportionately incarcerated, to die in custody, and to have their children removed from their communities. Racist policies – both historical and ongoing – perpetuate violence against First Nations people, stripping them of land, autonomy, and cultural rights, while entrenching systemic harm.
Recent acts of hate across this continent have been inflamed by the political climate surrounding Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza, its apartheid across illegally occupied Palestine and its oppression of Palestinians – all the ultimate brutal manifestation of state-sanctioned racially driven hate. The Australian government’s complicity in supporting colonial policies, both domestically and internationally, further fuels these injustices. Media outlets have played a dangerous role in framing legitimate political advocacy and community action for human rights and justice as threatening, while perpetuating harmful stereotypes.
We also condemn the hypocrisy of political leaders who denounce hate crimes while actively supporting governments and entities that violate human rights. Whether it is through public expressions of support for apartheid Israel, endorsing the criminalisation of refugees, or upholding policies that harm First Nations people, these actions directly enable the racism and violence we are witnessing. Words of condemnation from political leaders ring hollow against the backdrop of these actions.
To truly combat racism, political leaders must match their rhetoric with action. The Australian government must dismantle structural violence by addressing its own policies that enable the marginalisation of First Nations people, support, justify and minimise Israeli apartheid, and vilify refugees. These systemic injustices contribute directly to the culture of hate we see today.
We call for the Australian government to take immediate action to combat the systemic racism that underpins racially driven acts of hate:
- Review, repeal and reform foreign and domestic policies to address structural racism and discrimination and ensure all Australian policy – from foreign policy to budget decisions, to housing and health, to education and immigration – embeds anti-racist frameworks and approaches;
- Acknowledge and act to end genocide, apartheid and colonial violence and occupation, and Australian complicity in these crimes against humanity, in Palestine and wherever they occur;
- Consult with First Nations people, Palestinians, Arabs, Muslims, Jewish people, and people of colour to ensure that anti-racist frameworks guide all policy decisions. These communities must be at the centre of discussions around legislative change and hate crime responses, and the differences within these communities must be listened to: they must not be treated as homogenous.
- Expand data collection to document anti-Palestinian racism, anti-Muslim violence, and racism targeting First Nations people.
We urge all people and institutions to adopt a principled anti-racist stance, grounded in human rights and justice for all oppressed communities. Addressing the systemic roots of racism – both domestically and in foreign policies – is essential for building a society free from hate and discrimination.
The Palestinian struggle against Israeli colonial violence, genocide and apartheid is not just a fight for Palestinian rights – it is a struggle against all forms of oppression, racism and injustice. We recognise that true liberation for all marginalised communities is interconnected, and we are committed to standing in solidarity with those who resist racism, hatred and oppression worldwide.
We remain steadfast in this commitment in our work on this continent, and will continue to advocate for systemic change that uplifts oppressed communities, ensuring a future where dignity, respect and freedom are shared by all.