Australia’s government on Thursday introduced hate crime legislation that imposes criminal penalties, including jail sentences of up to five years, on those targeting a person based on race, gender, ethnic origin, religion or sexual orientation.
Australia has seen an increase in acts targeting the Jewish and pro-Israel community since Hamas’s Oct. 7 massacre in southern Israel.
The bill follows laws passed last year banning the Nazi salute and “public displays of terror group symbols,” Reuters reported.
“No Australian should be targeted because of who they are or what they believe,” said Australia’s Attorney General Mark Dreyfus. “We proudly live in a vibrant, multicultural and diverse community which we must protect and strengthen.”
On Wednesday, thousands of anti-Israel and anti-war protesters clashed with police outside a defense expo in downtown Melbourne, leading to dozens of arrests.
Victoria state police said the demonstrators pelted officers with rocks, acid and suspected human feces.
“Victoria police is appalled at the behavior of some of the protesters in attendance. If you wish to come and protest, do so peacefully. We will not tolerate criminal behavior,” said the Victoria state police spokesperson.
In July, anti-Israel activists vandalized the oldest synagogue in Sydney, displaying a large banner outside the front entrance reading “sanction Israel” in capital letters, along with Palestinian flags.
Last month, more than 500 students at the University of Sydney voted to reject a motion to condemn Hamas’s barbaric attack on Oct. 7, drawing international criticism.
The only two pro-Israel speakers were heckled and ridiculed by the crowd, with one reportedly spat on by students.
Also on Thursday, Australia introduced legislation that would make doxxing illegal. It would impose up to six years in jail for those publishing someone’s private information with the intent to harm.
Attorney General Dreyfus previously called for a ban on doxxing after an anti-Israel group released 900 pages of a WhatsApp chat that included Jewish writers and members of the media.
The information dump included a spreadsheet with the personal details of nearly 600 people.
“The increasing use of online platforms to harm people through practices like doxxing, the malicious release of their personal information without their permission, is a deeply disturbing development,” Dreyfus said at the time.
