The City of Port Phillip is home to one of Australia’s largest Jewish populations. In recent years, antisemitic incidents have increased, most devastatingly with the arson attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue in December 2024.
In response, Council has strengthened its commitment to combating antisemitism and building a safer, more inclusive community. Several councillors attended the Combatting Antisemitism Summit on the Gold Coast to share Port Phillip’s experience after the Ripponlea attack and to learn from other councils and experts.
The summit brought together representatives from more than 80 councils across regional, rural, and metropolitan Australia, along with international guests and government leaders. Notable contributions came from Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, Opposition Leader Susan Ley, Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism Gillian Segal, and Queensland Minister for Multicultural Affairs Hermann Vorster MP.
Despite diverse perspectives, a common theme emerged: local councils are best placed to lead responses that reflect the needs of their communities.
A standout session, From Extremism to Engagement: Understanding the Pathways out of Hate, featured Jeff Schoep (a former neo-Nazi) and Mubin Shaikh (a former jihadist). They discussed how people are drawn into extremist movements, how they can be de-radicalised, and the role of leaders in avoiding amplification of extremist voices. Both stressed the importance of engaging young people, who are especially vulnerable to radicalisation.
Other memorable speakers included Nova Peris OAM, who drew parallels between Indigenous Australians and Israel; Holocaust survivor Suzi Smeed, who warned of resurgent antisemitism; and Natalie Sanandaji, who gave a powerful account of surviving the Nova Festival massacre.
Many practical ideas were shared, such as tracking antisemitic and other discriminatory graffiti, strengthening interfaith dialogue, and pushing for stronger federal regulation of online hate, racism, and disinformation.
Of particular interest was Waverley Council’s Antisemitism Action Plan, a best-practice framework built on four pillars:
- Council Policy & Leadership
- Education & Awareness
- Community Engagement
- Safety & Incident Response
This structure could help inform Port Phillip’s forthcoming multicultural strategy.
Port Phillip also featured in the Councils in Action panel, presenting its response to the Adass Israel Synagogue attack.
Our report emphasised both the importance of standing in solidarity with a community in crisis and offering practical support. We highlighted Council’s role in responding to antisemitic incidents, preventing racism, and proactively building social cohesion for all residents. Initiatives must be co-designed with communities, supported through investment in public spaces, and grounded in activities that foster connections across diverse groups.
The Combatting Antisemitism Summit reinforced that local councils have a vital role in addressing antisemitism and strengthening community resilience.
For Port Phillip, it was an opportunity to share our story, learn from others, and identify concrete steps to continue building inclusion and cohesion.
TWiSK note: Crs Crawford, Mears and Buckingham attended the conference.
