This month in Melbourne, we witnessed three coordinated attacks targeting Jewish Australians: an arson attack on a synagogue during Friday night prayers, vandalism of Jewish-owned businesses, and an anti-Israel protest that descended into violence at a CBD restaurant.

These were not isolated incidents. They are the latest manifestations of a violent and hateful hostility that “has changed the country”, as Michael Gawenda, the former editor of The Age and author of My Life as a Jew put it.

The truth is that religious freedom in Australia is under increasing strain.

For Jews, the golden age of Australia as a place of peace and safety – a goldene medine (Yiddish for golden land) – has given way to a new climate of fear.

Armed guards at schools, synagogues behind fences, and a rising tide of antisemitic graffiti, intimidation and abuse are now features of Jewish life in our cities.

As Gawenda writes:

… [T]he golden land that Australia once was for the Jews is not coming back anytime soon. I fear that the hostility to Jews has become almost acceptable, even among people who once considered themselves to be supporters of the Jews. I think the time when Jews felt they could openly be Jews, express themselves as Jews, celebrate their contributions to Australian life, without fear of the consequences, that is the past and the past can never be reclaimed.

This is a sad indictment on the position Australian Jews find themselves in.

Christians are not untouched. Around the world, Christians are persecuted – sometimes violently, often silently. Just last month, Islamist terrorists bombed the Mar Elias Church in Damascus, killing at least 25 people. In response, the European Parliament passed an urgent resolution demanding accountability and the protection of Christians and other religious minorities in Syria.

Australia, by contrast, remains a land of comparative peace for Christians. But that peace must not be mistaken for permanence. We cannot assume our religious liberties are self-sustaining. History teaches us otherwise.

At HRLA, we believe every person should be free to live in accordance with their faith without fear of intimidation, violence or discrimination. Australia is a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which protects the rights to freedom of religion, thought, and expression. These rights are not mere formalities. They must be vigilantly defended.

As we speak out against antisemitism and advocate for persecuted Christians abroad, we must also remain alert to creeping intolerance at home.

The right to live and worship freely – so easily eroded – must never be allowed to slip quietly away in Australia.

^{Image source: Wikipedia, East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation.}