"Rise of Hate Speech: Royal Commission Exposes Antisemitic Abuse in Australian Politics A disturbing trend of violent antisemitic abuse has been exposed by a royal commission investigating antisemitism and social cohesion in Australia. Independent candidate Joshua Kirsh's social media campaign was inundated with antisemitic tropes, abuse, and threats during his bid for the New South Wales upper house in 2025. The commission's findings suggest a deliberate attempt to intimidate Jewish Australians from participating in public life. As the royal commission continues to shed light on this alarming issue, it raises questions about the state of social cohesion and the need for increased protection against hate speech in Australian society."
The third day of hearings of the royal commission on antisemitism and social cohesion heard further evidence from Jewish AustraliansFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastViolent antisemitic abuse was allowed to proliferate across a Jewish political candidate’s social media as part of a broader trend designed to intimidate Jewish Australians from public life, a royal commission has heard.Joshua Kirsh launched a campaign as an independent candidate for the New South Wales upper house in late 2025 but found his advertisements online bombarded by antisemitic tropes, abuse and threats. Continue reading...
