The Tide of Antisemitism Keeps Rising

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, October 11, 2026

Libby Burke, a long-standing leader in the Australian Jewish community, highlighted the rising antisemitism and social isolation experienced by Jewish Australians following the deadly 2023 Hamas attacks. This shift threatens the community’s sense of safety and belonging in Australia, prompting increased security measures and personal reconsiderations about their futures in the country.

On October 7, six hours after nationwide commemorations began for the victims of the 2023 attacks, Libby Burke, a prominent member of the Australian Jewish community, reflected on the challenges facing Jewish Australians amid a rising tide of antisemitism. Burke, who has been active in Jewish communal leadership for over 15 years, described a growing sense of isolation and hostility experienced by many in the community following the Hamas assaults that killed 251 people, including beheadings, assaults, rapes, and kidnappings.

Since the arrival of the first Jewish settlers in Australia in 1778, the country has largely been regarded as a safe and prosperous place for Jewish immigrants. However, Burke noted a disturbing shift in attitudes since the October attacks, with Jewish Australians increasingly being unfairly accused of fomenting conflict despite having survived what many describe as an attempted genocide.

A recent survey in Queensland revealed that up to 54 percent of Jewish respondents reported losing longstanding friendships over the past several years due to tensions related to the Middle East conflict. Additionally, many members of the community are now reconsidering their futures in Australia amid heightened security measures around schools and places of worship.

“We are feeling alone and we are feeling isolated,” Burke said, emphasizing the persistent nature of antisemitism in the current climate. Despite these challenges, she expressed firm commitment to her Jewish identity, which she traces back to her upbringing in a secular American Jewish family on the East Coast of the United States. Her connection to Israel has deepened through frequent visits and increased involvement in Jewish organizations in Queensland, including serving on the board of the Queensland Holocaust Museum and as vice-president of the Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies.

Burke acknowledged the personal toll of recent events, describing the experience as deeply traumatic and remarking on a pervasive sense of heaviness and difficulty in moving past it. Nevertheless, she remains resolute in maintaining her cultural and religious identity, often wearing Israel’s national colors in public as a symbol of pride and resilience.

Reflecting on Australia’s historical reputation for tolerance and safety for Jewish communities, Burke expressed difficulty understanding the apparently rapid shift toward greater antagonism. She cited recent acts of violence and hatred, including incidents such as the Bondi attack, as stark reminders of the precariousness faced by Jewish Australians today.

Despite the adversity, Burke affirmed her determination not to be silenced or marginalized. “If they want to pick on little ol’ me, well, I just think that says more about them than me,” she stated, underscoring her resolve to confront prejudice with dignity and strength.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.