Victoria Police has recently released a statement to the public in relation to Operation Park. Operation Park was established in late 2023 in response to an increase in hate crimes, and in order to monitor and coordinate the investigation of offences associated with the Middle East conflict.

The Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV) remains shocked and appalled at the level of anti-Jewish hate in the local community.

According to the Victoria Police data, 84% of religiously prejudice crimes were antisemitic and 93% of politically motivated crimes were anti-Israel.

The JCCV does not seek to minimise or justify any religious or political crime that occurred to any other minority, but the numbers show a clear picture: the state of Victoria has an anti-Jewish problem, and something needs to be done.

“Members of the Jewish Community of Victoria deserve to live safely. These statistics show clearly that this is not the case,” said JCCV President Philip Zajac “Behind these statistics is anti-Jewish and anti-Israel vilification, intimidation and violence. We are pleased that police investigations continue, arrests have been made and charges laid, albeit very slowly. We thank Victoria Police for their continued engagement with the Jewish community via the JCCV and CSG.”

“We have said this before, anti-Jewish hate is a unique problem that must be addressed. But beyond that, more needs to be done to ensure that Jewish Victorians are safe at home, at work, in all parts of the city, in public places, and in our community spaces and right now, we want to see swift action taken against these incidents,” Zajac said.

To comprehensively address ongoing anti-Jewish crimes, the JCCV is calling on political leaders to commit to five actions:

• Maintain moral clarity. Leaders must continue to speak out with moral clarity to all Victorians making it clear that antisemitic rhetoric and incitement has not place in the great state of Victoria.
• Consequences for government-appointed officers who cross the line. Individuals who are employed by the Government and cross the line must be held accountable. We know those who have engaged in intimidatory, and potentially unlawful behaviour, do not reflect the Government’s views. It is critical that these handful of individuals are held accountable.
• Urgent law reform. This Government accepted 34 recommendations to increase anti-vilification laws in September 2021. Only one of those recommendations has been implemented nearly three years on. It is time for an urgent bipartisan effort to implement the remaining recommendations. This Government also appointed an Anti-Racism Taskforce in 2021. The Taskforce’s strategy is now two years overdue.
• Security funding for schools. Jewish families are paying large security levies to keep their kids safe in school which is increasingly making Jewish education in Victoria unaffordable. The Government and Opposition have supported security funding for the community for many years and the need has never been greater.
• An increased focus on education around respect, antisemitism and the Holocaust. We know that one of the best ways to address antisemitism and intolerance is through education. We welcome the work that has been done already to make Holocaust education compulsory and develop resources and supports for teachers. This is a huge step forward. But we cannot rest. Education is the best way to build lasting social cohesion in Victoria.